For the foreseeable future, Cochrane is going to be in a continuing state of development.
As a town, we made a commitment to grow to 50,000 – 60,000 people. We put in the time and paid the price to annex land. The plans for infrastructure have been put in place, including consideration for water, sewer and yes, believe it or not – roads.
So how does each of us long-term residents and ‘newbies’ alike get our voice heard? How do we each maintain the Cochrane we moved here for while understanding the continued changes to our landscape, businesses, community relationships, environment, pace of life, traffic and that ‘small town’ feel?
My big picture answer is: get involved.
But the question remains: ‘when’ is the right time to get involved?
Here is what I suggest:
1. If you or someone you know is considering moving to Cochrane, go to our town offices at the RancheHouse, ask to see the 10-Year Financial Strategy and ask where development is still happening. Review council priorities, the Municipal Development Plan and take a look at our bylaws. Not every city is the same.
2. If you already live here and are familiar with these documents, then check for updates on the town website, read the inserts in your tax bill, read the paper and check online for development permit applications, public hearings and open house presentations. These are your opportunities to get educated and give your opinion.
3. Find out at what stage in the development process you can make a difference. You cannot move in to your home in a developing neighborhood and then expect to change the neighborhood plan or transportation plan. Ask before you buy.
4. Attend public hearings, email your concerns to town council and administration or write a letter to council prior to a public hearing. All of your communications will be presented at the hearing to council for consideration.
5. As far as business is concerned, it is truly all about economics. If we love local business, spend money with them. Most local businesses are in it for their passion about business more than the money. We need a mix of national chains and small business. One feeds the other. Some will draw customers because of uniqueness, some bring in customers because of price and variety.
6. Having more businesses, higher wage type businesses, long-term career type businesses takes planning and cooperation. We need to plan space for development, allow some creative solutions, think outside the box and decide if we want development at the highest price, or what is best for our future. Sometimes we can have both in the same package.
7. A strong sense of community, pace of life, traffic and ‘small town’ feel are what I love most about Cochrane. OK, maybe not traffic! If like me, you have to commute to Calgary for work and can sometimes spend an hour getting just to the edge of the city, at the end of the day, it cultivates a good dose of patience and a love of audio books. Planning and kindness get me through most traffic issues. Walk to do errands in town. Plan multiple errands for the same trip so that you drive once, park and walk. Our downtown is well connected with sidewalks and we are working to make it even better. Meet your neighbours, make time to care about the kids in our community, offer our seniors friendship and help, find volunteer opportunities and get involved.
If we want to be happy with the future of our town, we have to make the effort to be part of the solutions.
