Friends of Netook members say they are gaining steam in the group's bid to influence current talks regarding the Highway 2/27 Area Structure Plan.
During a meeting in Olds on Aug. 16, 10 area landowners and those concerned about the current stalled Netook Crossing project met to discuss next steps.
They plan on being a driving factor in helping to get the large scale multi-million dollar residential and commercial development project back on track.
Many of the people at the meeting live or have land in the area structure plan's boundaries.
Dave Kokoski, who moved to his property by the Olds golf course three years ago said he's concerned his property won't be worth as much if Netook Crossing isn't completed.
Area landowner Jim Bakken, who also sits on the Highway 2/27 ASP steering committee, said the development should have been years ago and talked about his frustration with the process so far.
“We should be talking about how and when we're going to get water and sewer there instead of bickering,” Bakken said.
Most at the meeting expressed frustration in Mountain View County council for reneging on committments already approved in previous plans that led to the derailment of the project and now, a lawsuit by the developer.
“My biggest concern is the lawsuit. All these councillors are making decisions on our behalf and we're going to be paying for it, the taxpayers. I don't think anyone realizes that,” said Scott Pankow, and area landowner.
Neuroese Properties is suing Mountain View County and councillors Kevin Good and Paddy Munro for over $32 million in damages related to the stalled project.
Neuroese Properties is the owner of 615 acres of land, made up of five quarter sections, located just east of the Town of Olds near the intersection of highways 2 and 27 and has proposed Netook Crossing.
