INNISFAIL - A controversial piece of Woodlands-area property in the town's deep south that was unanimously turned down last year by town council for industrial use has now been successfully rezoned as a potential sales and services site for oilfield heavy equipment.
"It is (reserved) for future development and sooner or later something has to happen," said Mayor Jim Romane during council's regular Jan. 14 meeting.
Council ultimately passed an administration recommendation to have the contentious property, located south of Highway 54 and east of 42nd Avenue, rezoned from Reserved for Future Development to Highway Commercial District by a vote of 5 - 1. Coun. Jean Barclay opposed the recommendation on grounds she wanted additional discussions about options for the property with adjacent landowners.
"It will be clear for residents it is highway commercial. We are not approving anything specific," said Coun. Doug Bos, noting discretionary uses for the new zoning on the property will have to go to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) for approval.
During the public hearing portion of the rezoning application, property owner Jason McNichol said he has since moved his oilfield fabrication business to Red Deer but still wants to develop the property at 5700 Woodland Road.
"I really felt we were unprepared last time. And now we are here taking the advice of what (council members) are planning to do," said McNichol, adding he is no longer interested in moving his business to the area "at this point." He also told council he was unsure what to do with the property, as he might sell it or use it as a sales location for oil industry equipment.
Last year's industrial use proposal for the property was the subject of intense criticism from Woodlands-area residents, especially those living on nearby Willowridge Road. Citizens complained industrial use would be unsightly from their homes, that there could be adverse environmental impacts on Buffalo Creek, and concerns there could be more unwanted traffic on nearby Cottonwood Road, a threat to water wells, and increased noise and light, and potentially decreased property values.
Several Woodlands-area citizens either returned to council on Jan. 14 or sent emails to state they were still concerned with the new rezoning application.
"This is the first Innisfail property that drivers coming north on Highway 2 will seen of Innisfail," said local resident Barb Kinder in an email that was presented to town council. "Can we guarantee this won't become an eyesore? As well, what will this do to our property values? Who wants to buy a home with a commercial view?
"If this land is changed to commercial, can we ask council to pay for a sound barrier to be put in, either a fence or some large trees?" added Kinder.
Romane said he believes the property owner will work with MPC on any future development permit that will address appropriate landscaping to lessen visual impacts to adjacent landowners.
"Landscaping is certainly going to be important for us here but all we can do is make the best agreement we can for landscaping," said Romane. He said visual improvements for the site could start with a simple directive to have a row of trees on the property. However, the mayor conceded there have been longstanding contentious landscaping issues with businesses facing Highway 2.
"I couldn't agree more with you about the rest of the whole property adjacent to the highway but it's just something that just evolved over the years," said Romane.
