Council shut down a potential zoning change for a property in the strip of land between the QEII and Hwy. 2A/42 Avenue, after several residents of Beverly Park Condominiums voiced their concerns during a well-attended public hearing Nov. 13.
The parcel, currently a “highway commercial” property along with the ones next to it, was under consideration for a switch to an industrial lot.
“We don't feel that industrial uses for the Highway 2 corridor are appropriate,” said Darlene Baumgardt, kicking off a series of comments from several condo residents who all spoke in opposition. “Right now what's there is clean.”
Frank Murias also lent his voice to the naysayers from Beverly Park.
“There's a fair bit of noise already which we didn't anticipate,” he said, noting current levels could be brought under control with a bit of landscaping. “We certainly would hope not to have any more noise than is happening already.”
Prior to the public hearing, though Red Deer County had expressed no objection to the proposed zoning change, the town received five letters from area residents urging officials to axe the plan.
It was with humour that part landowner Bob McDonald stepped up to defend his bid to have the property industrialized.
“I'm the bad guy,” he said. “It's a good spot because 4,000 cars go by there an hour.”
He made his intention to profit off the land crystal clear.
“I'm not here for your good,” he said. “I'm here for my good. But I'm reasonable.”
He urged council members to base their decision on the permitted uses on industrial properties, since discretionary use would still be within their control.
“It's only two acres,” he said. “There's not going to be a Johns Manville plant going in there.”
The highway commercial designation was meant to encourage a higher grade of architectural construction on the portion of town that is directly visible to the thousands of trucks passing every hour, said Director of Planning and Development Craig Teal.
“This area is a gateway to the community,” he said. “Industrial buildings tend to be large, steel and uninteresting structures.”
When the two relevant bylaws came up for discussion later in the meeting Coun. Jason Heistad said he worried about the zoning shift setting a negative precedent.
“Listening to everything you can see where both sides are at,” he said. “My gut is saying to keep it as is.”
Coun. Derek Baird voiced his displeasure with the proposition.
“I'm against it too,” he said. “I like having rules and keeping rules and not bending them all the time.”
Both bylaw amendments were unanimously opposed.
