The complaints about the new development planned in Oakmont are, frankly, ridiculous. Why do people think that when they pay for a house and its plot, they are somehow entitled to everything beyond that (rolling hills, perfect views)? Oakmont, if some people can remember, is a relatively new addition to St. Albert. When I was a child in the '90s, it was just a few houses and new construction pushing into previously untouched land. The residents of Sturgeon and Woodlands had to “put up” with their perfect views of rolling hills and trees being claimed by these new McMansion-style houses that were the trend in those days.
As far as I am aware, St. Albert is a city. A city requires people to actually live in it! Also, for the residents and for the city itself, it is much more economical and environmentally friendly in the long run to infill a city than it is to perpetually grow it outwards. Can’t we leave the green space outside our city alone? I think Jensen Lakes, Erin Ridge North and Ville Giroux should well be St. Albert’s outer limits, though I’m sure they won’t be. We have plenty of space within the city that could be better repurposed for living space. Think of the old Grandin mall area. What a dump! Now it will at least serve some actual purpose – other than being a cheesy, dusty brown '80s mall – with the new condo developments there. There are other areas in the city that we can all agree aren’t high economic performers. The western side of St. Albert Trail could probably do well with some mixed-use residential/commercial towers right on the bus transit lines to Edmonton.
If St. Albert wants to retain its distinction as a city (instead of being annexed into Edmonton), it should be allowed to resemble a city! Cities are busy and have lots of different services within walking distance, which permit residents to work, live, eat and play in one place, without always needing a car to do it. Though St. Albert was once a sleepy little town along the Sturgeon, it isn’t any longer. It’s time to grow up, put our big kid pants on and accept that our population density has to increase.
Damon Davies, St. Albert
