Sturgeon County councillors are taking a slow and steady approach to drafting a new planning document for the hamlet of Villeneuve.
Councillors deferred for two weeks a final decision on a terms of reference for a new area structure plan, seeking to clarify minor issues. It appears likely that council will proceed with the terms of reference, which calls for almost a year of public consultation before the area plan is finalized.
This is Sturgeon's second attempt at drafting an area plan. Council voted down the last area structure plan in 2008, after a review process that spanned nearly three years.
Restarting the process has been on council's agenda ever since, however administration did not receive the OK to develop the terms of reference until November.
Coun. Ken McGillis said he is glad to see the plan revived, adding he thinks the community can find the right balance between landowners and existing residents that had opposing views last go around.
"I am sure there will be a difference of opinion over how development should proceed," he said. "I am confident we can work around it, the biggest challenge is going to be putting in services to accommodate future development."
The community's sewage system is tied into a sewage lagoon that can accommodate only a handful of additional residences. Expansion would likely require either a larger lagoon or connecting to the regional sewer line.
The sewage lagoon expansion could cost up to $6 million, based on the county's preliminary estimates.
The proposed terms of reference, now deferred, set out a plan for months of public consultation with several meetings throughout the year.
The total cost is estimated at up to $250,000. County administration explored the idea of sharing that cost with developers and the airport, however both groups declined to offer financial support. They have offered to provide any planning information they have already collected.
Administration also suggested having developers pay could create the impression of a conflict of interest.
The plan's scope will include the current hamlet, the airport and the land between them. It will also encompass some land on the east side of Highway 44.
Airport growth
With the closure of the Edmonton City Centre Airport, Villeneuve Airport has been cited as an area for future growth.
Coun. Karen Shaw pointed out that moving forward on this plan is essential if Sturgeon is going to take advantage of that growth.
"There is a potential for it to be a huge economic opportunity for us and if we don't get going on this and determine a way to service that area we will never realize that."
She said it is important council considers all of the benefits the county could reap from a strong plan for the future of the hamlet.
"To not look at the big picture and that big economic driver that is sitting there, I think we would be very foolish to pass that economic opportunity."
McGillis said airport expansion in Villeneuve could help Sturgeon balance its property tax base, but also has other benefits.
"It certainly would contribute to the tax base, but something else that we really have to keep in mind is that it will offer employment opportunities."
