A question of access

It will be in large part up to the new developer whether or not the Town of Barrhead will build a road to give residents of  59th close to the Brookside Village a secondary access point.

That was the consensus councillors came to during their Jan. 8 meeting after chief administrative officer Edward LeBlanc updated councillors on the status of a development agreement in the area.

Later in the meeting council passed the report for information.

Councillors voted to add another access connecting 59th Avenue to 43rd Street to the municipality's 10-year Capital Plan during their Dec. 8 meeting. They also asked the administration to research the history of the developer of the subdivision.

The road, which is accessed via 46th Street, ends at what is essentially a small cul-de-sac.

Public works estimate the cost to create a secondary, rudimentary gravel road at about $55,000.

The issue was first brought to council's attention by Coun. Dausen Kluin on Nov. 10. He noted residents who live on the street have little options for parking, if any. Even more importantly, if an emergency occurred and the street was blocked, residents would be essentially trapped and it would pose access difficulties for emergency response crews.

Chief administrative officer Edward LeBlanc said in 2008 the municipality signed a contract with a developer to develop an unimproved parcel of land into residential lots.

However, since there has been no activity on the property, the agreement is now void. The land has since been sold to another developer.

"The municipality could definitely build another access road which would benefit not only existing residents, but those in a future subdivision," he said.

LeBlanc added in "theory" it is the developer who would bear the full cost of infrastructure improvements on the property, including roads, utilities and sewer.

"So we would be building infrastructure that is the obligation of the developer," he said.

Kluin asked if the administration had spoken to the new property owner about when they plan to develop the property and if they plan to build an additional access road.

"There was no need because it has already been subdivided and a section of land has been dedicated to the road," LeBlanc responded.

Kluin suggested such a conversation is still warranted because building an additional access road for the area is now part of the municipality's 10-year capital plan.

"Can't we still have that dialogue to see what is on their mind and if it aligns with what they are planning?" he asked. "Because no matter when we put in a road, it is going to benefit them."

Coun. Rod Klumph added he did not believe the municipality should not build the additional access road until it was guaranteed that the developer would pick up the cost.

LeBlanc interjected that he also asked the Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BFRS) if they had any concerns in not being able to access the area.

"Essentially [fire chief Gary Hove] said it wasn't different than many other areas of town," he said.

Coun. Ty Assaf said the reason why he considered advancing the project is because of potential issues for emergency services accessing the area. He suggested if they did not have an issue, they should leave it in the hands of the developer.

Development and legislative services director Cheryl Callihoo added it would be worthwhile to discuss with the developer what plans they had for the parcel as they might not have the same vision for the property, noting they have the option of submitting a new development plan for the area. That being said, she noted that council would have to approve any plan changes.

LeBlanc said that administration would talk to the new developer to see what their intentions were.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com