Town council has enthusiastically accepted a subdivision report from Parkland Community Planning Services to allow a new development at Hawkridge Estates that would add another 43 residential lots to its burgeoning inventory.
The report still has to go to referral agencies, including utility, Telus, Shaw and Alberta Transportation, for comment but the proposal is expected to go before council in February for final approval.
"If it gets approval in February they will be good to go in spring," said Tricia Willis, the town's planning and development officer. She said the proposal also includes a playground structure in the south side of the plan with a trail running through the entire site.
The town and council are excited about the new proposed expansion at Hawkridge Estates, known as parts of Phases 8 and 9, as the community is coming off a record year for home building.
In 2011, 63 residences of all types, presenting a total value of about $10 million, were built in the community. That number was one more than what was constructed in Penhold in 2007, a boom year before the recession.
Since 2006 when the Hawkridge Estates subdivision broke ground developers have created 260 serviced lots. There have been 160 residences built on those lots. At build-out, expected in 2017, a total of 500 residential lots will be created.
"We are happy with the momentum but it has been a challenge to say the least," said Garth Dushanek, a director for Hawkridge Estates Development Ltd.
He said his company and the three other development partners were "challenged" to achieve final approval of the area structure plan required for the site on the east side of town near the multiplex.
"There was a whole bunch of stuff behind the scenes that no one is aware of," he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Dennis Cooper said last month he expected the town's good fortunes with home building in 2011 would move into 2012 with another two or three new subdivisions being planned for the town.
