A proposal to break ground on a leap-frog development in north St. Albert is getting the thumbs down from city hall.
City administration has recommended turning down developer Triple Five International Holdings' request to start servicing 75 hectares of land at the very northern tip of the city along Highway 2. The proposal runs contrary to the city's municipal development plan (MDP) which prohibits leapfrog development.
The applicant, which also owns West Edmonton Mall, was not present when the request was presented to council Monday. The company has proposed extending services underground St. Albert Trail from Erin Ridge North.
In a report, administration said such premature development before lands to the south would cost the city extra to extend transit services, planning and public works. Nearby landowners and the City of Edmonton also disapproved of the requested change.
Legal issue
The MDP must go to the Capital Region Board for review before council can weigh into the matter. City manager Bill Holtby recommended against voting down the amendment request right away until the applicant has a chance to make its case before council.
"The question is how do you get the process moving when you are not in support," said Holtby. "We want to allow them their day in court."
Mayor Nolan Crouse said he was concerned about sending the amendment to the CRB before a public hearing. He was concerned that, should the CRB vote against the change, it would open the board to a legal challenge.
Although council was informed the developer was not available until August, Coun. Carol Watamaniuk said she was not willing to make a decision until someone from Triple Five was able to appear before council.
"I just think we should wait for the developer to be here," she said. "At that time we could determine if this is even necessary."
Andy Haden, manager of regional projects for the CRB, said the city is free to conduct a public hearing prior to submitting the request. However, the city's position isn't considered during the board's evaluation, which considers the potential effect the development could have on the region.
Officials with Triple Five could not be reached for comment.
Erin Ridge North project manager Patrick Shaver said Triple Five has been in contact with Landrex about sharing water services. However, there is no plan for how the service would be connected or any other fine details, he added.
"Our engineers did a lot of work to ensure that future services for lands north of us as well as west of the highway and northwest where Triple Five lands are," he said. "They told us what they're doing, we know what we're doing with the services, it's up to them."
Council will consider the matter on Aug. 16, with a public hearing scheduled at 5 p.m.
