Parts of the original Hole’s greenhouse site may soon be rezoned for residential use, and the developer said he plans for more than just another condominium.
“We really want to find a way to make this development work in a sense that we can give back to the community,” said Dan Demers, Vice President of Boudreau Developments following a public consultation meeting Wednesday night at the Enjoy Centre.
“My goal as a developer is to develop the best condominium in St. Albert.”
The 3.78 acres of land are currently zoned as direct control commercial, limiting the site to the greenhouse and former operations of the Hole family.
Boudreau Developments wants to rezone the property for medium- and high-density residential land use.
Demers told over 20 residents present at the meeting that he plans to build a condominium that complements the surrounding terrain.
That could include common space areas or gathering rooms for people to enjoy the landscape, as well as gardens and pathways tying into the existing trail system along the river.
Suites in the building would have mid- to upper-level finishing, with large kitchens, dining rooms and balconies.
Parking would be provided through an underground garage with three access points from Boudreau Road and Bellerose Drive. The developer was also looking to add about 59 surface parking stalls connected to the building.
The neighbouring commercial site would have its own parking.
Some residents were concerned that a shadow study presented at the meeting did not include considerations for a higher building. The study was based on a six-storey building above grade.
Demers said they would wait for approval for the rezoning by council before creating another study.
“As it develops we will be able to provide an additional shadow study based on the way the building will be built,” Demers said.
The maximum building height for the proposed land use is 25 metres, though the building height may be increased to 35 metres.
Lenore Mitchell, senior planner for Planning and Development in St. Albert, said the developer would have to provide a height impact assessment for any building higher than 15 metres.
“We may ask them for some more studies when they come in and once we actually see what they are doing,” she said.
Residents were also concerned about the rise of traffic in the area.
A traffic impact study is under review by the city, but Demers said they were proposing a right in/right out access to the underground parking from Boudreau Road.
Road access would be maintained from Bellerose Drive, as well as the all-direction access from the corner of Bellerose Drive and Evergreen.
In response to concerns that part of the condominium may overlook the dumpsters of the planned commercial building next door, Demers said he was going to lobby against that.
“As a resident and as a developer, I will be sitting right next to you making sure that my concern on that is heard as well,” he said, adding that they were planning to make the site esthetically pleasing and heavily landscaped.
He added that they worked closely with the Hole family on the purchase of the land and in understanding what the family wanted to see built there.
The first reading for the rezoning is scheduled for April 29. After that, council will send the plan to the Capital Region Board for approval.
Second and third readings are scheduled for June 24. The public is welcome to discuss further concerns before council on both dates.
