When city administration released its Future Study Areas: Potential Industrial Land report Nov. 7, one page caused a few arched eyebrows.
The page in question is Recommendation 2A (medium term), which identifies several parcels of land in the city's west end that could provide 14 years of light industrial land. But one of those highlighted squares is not just a patch of farmland — it is the site of the Rampart Avenir subdivision and Patrick Cassidy's SAS Sports City.
"The approach that we took was a blank slate," said acting city manager Chris Jardine. "Assuming there were no decisions, what would make the most sense? What decisions have already been made? We've made some commitments and we have to take that into consideration."
If either Rampart Avenir or SAS are unhappy about the proposal, they aren't letting it show.
"This is simply the culmination of a process that was put in place some time ago when administration commissioned the "Industrial Land Needs Study/" [sic] The study was received by council earlier this year," Rampart Avenir CEO Gerry de Klerk said in an email interview. He explained he was travelling and was not available to speak by phone.
Cassidy, chairman of St. Albert Sports City Management, said in an email: "The city continues to work with us through these processes and seems as motivated as we are to move development forward in the newly annexed lands."
Mayor Nolan Crouse said it would be highly unlikely the land would end up as light industrial.
"My personal thoughts are we've made a commitment to Avenir-SAS and to go back and change that is likely inappropriate," Crouse said.
Permit issued
The city met with both developers earlier this week to discuss the lands. Crouse characterized the discussions as positive.
"[Avenir] is ready to proceed with bringing their area structure plan (ASP) forward. They have told us they are very close to being able to submit it."
But that doesn't mean the city is ready to accept it. Crouse promised in the summer, shortly after the municipal development plan was amended in favour of Avenir and SAS, that he would be watching both parties very closely. Two deadlines were subsequently issued. Avenir's ASP was due by the end of 2011 and SAS was responsible for remediating one of two landfills before the city would accept Avenir's ASP.
A development permit allowing that remediation to begin was issued to a contractor in the last week, which Cassidy confirmed in his email. According to the permit, the contents of pit two are to be transferred to pit one, with pit two subsequently being remediated.
Crouse said the last time he checked, title on the SAS lands still belonged to the original landowner with Cassidy holding an option. Cassidy replied in an email that he had no comment because he believed the landfill issue was "private." Guy Boston, general manager of planning and engineering, confirmed the permit was issued to the landowner. Boston also said the contractor would have to produce a certificate of remediation when the work was complete, which could take some time.
Crouse said the message from the city is clear — no remediated landfill, no ASP.
"We've been very clear, both verbally and in writing letters, that we will not accept the ASP," until the landfill is remediated, he said.
de Klerk did not seem concerned with the city's stance.
"In order to develop the land, it is also in SAS' interest to complete the remediation in a timely manner," he replied. "For SAS to have any chance at all to obtain development funding, the remediation will have to be completed. Lenders will not entertain funding potential liabilities."
de Klerk wrote he plans to submit the ASP regardless of whether or not the landfill is remediated.
"The Avenir ASP will be submitted within the agreed timeframe whether the remediation has been completed or not."
