Should the city support smaller commercial development along St. Albert Trail?
This question was posed to council on Monday, during a discussion of Landrex's proposed changes to an area structure plan for its 10-hectare site south of Costco.
The King of Kings Lutheran Church site is located on the corner of St. Albert Trail and Coal Mine Road. Landrex wants to develop the site with commercial buildings next to the trail, and residential units east of the church.
The developer further plans to reduce the number of homes in the existing plan from 1,600 to 1,500. Nonetheless, Mayor Nolan Crouse questioned why the city should support a development that is not fully maximizing commercial growth along St. Albert Trail.
"Why would we as a city be supportive of this going into residential when we are trying to protect the commercial corridor?" he said.
Jim Sheasgreen, vice-president of operations with Landrex, said the developer was not driven by profit, as the mayor suggested. But Landrex is "trying to create an urban village that would work well with the neighbourhood," he said.
"And what would your reaction be if I brought forward a motion and a proposal that this be all non-residential?" asked Crouse. Sheasgreen said he would have to think about that.
"We see it as adding inventory to the commercial scene in St. Albert," added Guy Boston, executive director of economic development, in response to Crouse's previous question. "This is a kind of transitional, narrow corridor and it would be a more complementary land use."
Road closure
Coun. Sheena Hughes added that residents in the area are worried about a proposed closure of Coal Mine Road. They are concerned that traffic in the area and on the trail will be more congested as a result, she said.
Ken Crutchfield, a resident speaking at the meeting, agreed.
"Until such time as there is clear commitment and timeline for the construction of (Ray Gibbon Drive), every effort should be made in this stage of planning to minimize the number of intersections on Highway 2," he said.
Sheasgreen said the road closure of Coal Mine Road is only one of many options and Landrex was still considering the feedback received during an open house in November.
"Some love it, some don't and right now it's too early to tell but certainly from a technical perspective there is no detriment to closing it," he said.
Council will continue its discussion of the area structure plan on March 16, 2015. "We have to be very, very careful when we make this decision," said Crouse.
