By Andrew de Souza

Opposition to industrial development raises council concerns

Nov 2, 2010 | 6:08 AM

A proposed annexation of land to be used for industrial development has some residents concerned and the city second-guessing its actions.

The city has applied to the province for about 300 acres of land south of Marquis Road and east of Highway 3. The city proposes that it will be used for industrial land, though no concrete plans have been finalized.

The move however, has drawn opposition from residents whose homes back onto Marquis Road. The city has received several letters and phone calls questioning or outright opposing the development.

Garry Carter, who has lived on Dent Crescent for almost 30 years, said the possibility of a large industrial area raises too many concerns for the otherwise completely residential area.

“I’m concerned if there’s industrial development across the street, what is it going to do to property values (because of) how much truck traffic behind us, noise, litter, noxious odours, from welding shops or food processing plants,” said Carter.

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He said he had canvassed most of the residents along both his and Grey Owl Crescent, which also backs onto Marquis Road. He said almost everyone he spoke with agreed with him.

The city’s executive committee talked about the annexation on Monday night. The consensus around the room was that more information needed to be shared with the public.

According to city manager Robert Cotterill, the reality was there was almost nothing set in stone about what the development would look like, both in layout and business composition.

He said that in retrospect, the city should have been clearer on that. As well, he said the city needed to continue to involve the public as the process continues.

“We may be better to go meet with the neighbourhood, hear what they have to say, take their ideas, come back, put report together to council saying ‘here’s what the public said to us, here’s what we’re going to incorporate in what we’re going to do and have some mechanism to say back to them what we’re going to do as we annex,’” said Cotterill.

Councillors agreed with the head administrator of the city. Councillor Martin Ring said the city needed that area for development, but that it should be done in partnership with the neighbouring residents.

“Do we need the industrial land, absolutely. There’s no doubt. Our city cannot continue to grow, or think it’s going to grow if we don’t have the industrial land,” said Ring.

“But we need to have our ducks lined up – we need to have conceptual drawings or a concept plan.”
The executive committee agreed to forward the concerns to the city’s council.

Meanwhile, a public consultation process has been scheduled for Nov. 10 at the Carlton Park Community Club at 5:30 p.m.

The city said plans for the area will be presented and residents will have an opportunity to ask questions.

adesouza@panow.com