A bylaw which reduces and moves the commercial area planned for the Oxford Landing development in Penhold was passed by councillors during the June 11 meeting.
A public hearing held before the regular meeting went into session saw no members of the public attend to express any concerns. Planner Jolene Tejkl of Parkland Community Planning Services said feedback had been received from Red Deer County and Fortis Alberta with no objections to the plan. She said Alberta Transportation was “ultimately happy” with the plan.
The Oxford Landing Outline Plan was also passed by council during the June 11 meeting.
The bylaw amended the Municipal Development Plan so it was consistent with the outline plan. According to Tejkl, the bylaw reduces the size of the commercial office/business park area, reduced the commercial area and moved it to the southeast corner of the development, expanded the area shown for residential land uses and identified major open spaces.
Council raised concerns about there being only two “collector road” access points for the development. Tejkl said Alberta Transportation objected to more. Brad Currie, an engineer with Stantec, said they had to fight with the provincial government to have two access points instead of one.
Councillors noted well over 1,000 people are expected to eventually take up residence in Oxford Landing. Coun. Chad Hoffman said traffic would be “a serious issue on this road” while Coun. Heather Klein said she could see it becoming “the busiest road in Penhold.”
Coun. Kathy Sitter suggested having no parking on the road. Coun. Danielle Klooster said parking on roads can serve as a traffic-calming measure.
Currie addressed concerns council raised about people backing out of their driveways onto the main collector road for the development, telling councillors the curve of the road was set to have ideal sightlines for people backing out.
Currie was also able to answer questions about the stormwater management system. He told council the pipes are designed to hold water from a one in five year storm event and the storm pond a one in one hundred year storm flow.
The shrinking commercial area in the Oxford Landing development raised a flag for Klooster, who said the town needs new commercial areas.
“I know that for developers it's certainly more appealing and easier to sell houses,” Klooster said.
She asked why the planned manufactured home park couldn't have privately owned lots instead of having Melcor Developments own the whole park.
“It's a business model we've successfully executed,” said Guy Pelletier, the Melcor vice-president for the Red Deer region land development division. He said the park is part of Melcor's long-term investment strategy.
Mayor Dennis Cooper said he thinks the manufactured home park will have a good design and things like sidewalks.
When a member of the gallery raised a concern about dust control for the roads and farms impacted by the likely increase in traffic, Klooster suggested Penhold approach Red Deer County about the issue.
The second and third readings of the bylaw amending the Municipal Development Plan were passed unanimously by council. The Oxford Landing Outline Plan was passed with Klein opposed.
