TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
Development agreements between the former town council and two developers seem to be a clear case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
Developer Stan Cummings who owns Best Western Rimstone Ridge Hotel and several acres of land adjacent, said he made an agreement with the former council in which he gave them about half an acre of land so 54th Street would be completed and access provided onto Highway 53.
Now Cummings wants his land back because the road remains unfinished and there is no access to the highway.
But town council is arguing they are not responsible for completing the street as they have an agreement with Gord Davies from Cavalier Venture Corporation to have the access completed.
Davies, however, cannot be found, although assistant CAO Ryan Maier said Davies indicated earlier this year that he planned to complete the project.
“We have not been successful in contacting him, but we believe his intent is still to do it.”
The town received ministerial approval from Alberta Transportation to proceed with the access in 2008.
In June of 2009 a development agreement between the town and Cavalier Venture Corporation states the town will be responsible for the construction and paving of the construction and paving of the 54th Street and Highway 53 access.
However, the developer (Gord Davies of Cavalier) will complete the work.
Davies is to be reimbursed by the town on a per square meter basis. The cost estimate for the project is $230,000.
But Cummings, who attended the June 22 council meeting, said the town’s agreement with Gord Davies has nothing to do with him.
“I want some kind of commitment from the town to honor its commitment to me,” he said. “It’s a matter of this council doing what the last council promised.”
Later Mayor Sheldon Ibbotson said council is looking into a solution.
“It’s a complex issue and we’re examining it. Stan’s request to ask for his land back if the intersection isn’t completed is not an unreasonable.”
Davies did not return repeated calls from The Review.