The rezoning of property on the east hill from urban reserve to R2 residential could mean a new subdivision for Athabasca.
Athabasca Town Council passed first reading of the rezoning bylaw 11-12 last Tuesday because the majority of council wanted to hear more about the development.
A public hearing has been set for August 7 at Athabasca Town Hall to hear whether or not the public is in favour of this development.
Councillor Lionel Cherniwchan is fully in favour of more development within town limits.
“I think it is a project that might really enhance our community,” he said. “Instead of people building larger homes out of town, we can get them building in town.”
Cherniwchan said that if the geotech studies come back in favour of building on the hill, and can ensure hill stability, he sees no reason not to go ahead.
“He (the developer) wouldn’t be allowed to go ahead until he produces a geotech, and it will be a pretty expensive proposition,” Cherniwchan said. “That’s why he is doing the rezoning first, there is no sense doing the geotech study if the town is not willing to rezone it.”
Cherniwchan said there is a chance that after the town rezones the property that the geotech studies could come back saying the hill is unstable to build on, but that risk is on the developer.
“I am in favor of the rezoning, and I am in favor of the project if the geotech proves out,” he expanded.
“We need stuff like this in town. We need people to come into town and develop.”
The piece of land the developer is looking to rezone runs along Highway 55. It touches 42 Street, and goes on an angle up to 44 Avenue.
The subdivision proposed would be called Athabasca River View Estates.
“J+B Engineering Incorporated has been retained to prepare this narrative in support of an application for rezoning,” the rezoning narrative for River View Estates reads. “The subject property is currently zoned urban reserve, natural district and R7.
“The proposed zoning is R2 – Large dwelling residential district, for a portion of the subject property that is currently zoned urban reserve,” it reads. “The subject property is approximately 121 acres of undeveloped wooded area and open space.”
The slope of the hill the development would be built on is seven degrees.
Councillor Colleen Powell and Paula Evans voted against the motion to accept first reading.
Powell said there were two reasons she voted against passing first reading.
“One, there would have to be extensive geotech (study) done to ensure stability, and secondly I would want to hear from the public if they want that greenery gone and replaced with houses,” Powell said. “Let’s see what the public has to say.”
Evans said she wanted to review past reports from Thurber Engineering (which performs geotech studies) before going ahead with the project.
