WATCH: Western Securities wants to build a large housing development off Highway 8, next to the River Spirit Golf Course, but some residents are strongly opposed. As Mia Sosiak reports, it could affect traffic in Calgary as well.
CALGARY – Rocky View residents jammed into a Tuesday hearing to decide the future of a controversial proposed housing development along Highway 8, west of Calgary.
Western Securities is seeking approval to build Gardner Ranch, an 1,800-unit estate community, west of Range Road 34, near the River Spirit Golf Course.
Some residents are afraid the project would cause big traffic problems on Highway 8, which has a history of deadly crashes.
“I think it will be a far more dangerous highway than it is now, and it will be packed,” said Pam Janzen, who lives near the proposed development.
Concern over the impact of traffic is shared by the City of Calgary, especially with respect to a pinch point on Highway 8 at Discovery Ridge.
Ward 6 Councillor Richard Pootmans was also scheduled to speak at the hearing about the potential impact on Calgary’s drinking water.
Gardner Ranch would release treated wastewater into the Elbow River upstream from the city.
“The risk is impairing our water quality, it’s as simple as that,” said Pootmans. “So we are cautious.”
Guy Buchanan, who is acting on behalf of developer Western Securities, said the housing development would benefit all Rocky View residents by increasing the tax base.
“They will feel a drop in their taxes, all things being equal,” Buchanan said.
At build out, Gardner would be home to 5,000 people, and would offer retail shops and services, a private health centre as well as a recreation centre.
Rocky View administrators urged council to reject the project because it is not adjacent to other residential areas – something the Rocky View County Plan requires.
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