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POLL: Industrial option for West Hill Master Plan presented

Apr 11, 2013 | 6:37 AM

The City of Prince Albert has now been presented with an industrial option concept map that is part of the West Hill Master Plan (WHMP).

The city has been given two growth concept plans – an industrial and a residential – which officials will present to the public in May in an open house.

The WHMP was first approved by council in 1999 as a guide for future development in the West Hill area. Some of the developments in the area in the years since the plan’s approval have “differed” from the original plan, a new report from city planner Wes Holowachuk said.

“Really, the industrial option was brought forward by [a] past city council, who wanted to pursue what the industrial option would look like over there due to the shortage of industrial land the city currently has and the serviceability of that area. In doing that, the consultant [AECOM] prepared that conceptual map showing the industrial,” Holowachuk said in an interview on Tuesday.

He said if council wanted to pursue it further then there would be plan updates with respect to how this could be serviced as well as the phasing of this sort of development.

The industrial option does have a place for multi-family residential units along the future Marquis Road on the south side, Holowachuk said.

“It would kind of … phase into industrial. It would go from high-density residential and some light commercial to light industrial to heavier industrial as you move south.”

The industrial growth concept map was discussed during the executive committee Monday evening.

During the discussion, Coun. Ted Zurakowski cited an unnamed Regina city planner who said that to plan the city with industrial areas in all four corners of the city is not good planning.

The heart of this plan is in Zurakowski’s ward.

“I think if we go forward, if that’s what we’re going to do, I can’t be in favour of that. I think we have to push back a little and say where is the right place for industrial growth, where is there industrial growth in our city occurring and make a prudent decision. Because in 20 years from now, somebody’s going to stick their head up and say, ‘what were you people thinking?’” he said.

Holowachuk said this is the first industrial growth option for the future West Hill area. “All other industrial growth options for the city have looked at either our north industrial area and there’s limitations for servicing there. Our south industrial area, which there’s also limitations for servicing. And we will be looking further into the annexed area of lands as well.”

But at this stage, he said there really hasn’t been a lot of reporting on the serviceability of options. However, he said, the consultants believe it is serviceable and a more detailed level of looking at the option would come if council decides to proceed with this option.

And the concept maps presented to the city will be the ones presented to the public. “These are the ones that have been prepared by the consultant at this stage. So they would be presented to the public for comment and feedback when we’re able to line up that open house,” Holowachuk said.

The date for the open house in May has not yet been set, but the city planners will be there and the consultant will be invited to attend. The public will be provided with information about the residential and industrial concept plans and they will have an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames