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Rezone decision delayed

The rezoning application for a parcel of land and the BRIX area structure plan on the southeast corner of Rimbey

The rezoning application for a parcel of land and the BRIX area structure plan on the southeast corner of Rimbey was given first and second reading but council wants all concerns raised in a public hearing dealt with before a final decision is made.

The land is farmland and is being proposed as a two-phase development.

“The developer is proposing phase 1 development is country residential parcels along the east side of 40th Street. The area structure plan has been reviewed by Alberta Transportation, Tagish Engineering and West Central Planning Agency,” explained Melissa Beebe, development officer for the town.

Originally, Plains Midstream Canada was concerned about traffic increase and a pipeline that ran diagonally across the land. However, after clarification about the pipe’s abandonment process, it is no longer a concern.

“In conclusion, Plains has no objection to the development,” said Ryan Niesh, who represented Plains Midstream Canada at the council meeting.

The two nearby landowners who spoke at the meeting were also not opposed to the development, but they have their concerns.

“My concerns are basically culverts, water drainage, because I’m downhill from him. Another thing is well water,” said Darren Fischer, who wanted to know if there was a guarantee the aquifers could support the water.

“And sewer. Me being downhill, it’s not a very pleasant thing to be concerned about, but I have to be concerned about it,” he added.

Keith Kemprew’s main concern was the dust. “We’ve already got heavy traffic on that road, and it’s during the week. We are dusted out. You cannot open a window in the house, and sometimes I have to wear a mask to mow the lawn.

Although the developer, Steffen Olsen attended the public hearing, he declined the offer to speak after all concerns were heard.