BOWDEN — A Bowden resident says a change by council to the town’s land use bylaw enabling construction of a 26-unit apartment building cuts into space available for businesses to grow in the community.
“With only a handful of commercial lots available, the decision to allow apartment construction in this district threatens the limited space for potential businesses to thrive in Bowden,” Agnes Bitz wrote in an email to the Albertan.
The development, proposed by landowner/applicants Leonard and Fern Kobewka and developer Kyle McCowan calls for a two-storey, 26-unit apartment building to be built on four lots near Highway 2A. All units would be one-bedroom units. Access would be gained by 19th Street.
The bylaw allows “some compatible residential uses” in the town’s C1 central commercial business district.
A request was made to allow the developer to provide 28 parking stalls instead of the required 39, a 28 per cent relaxation of the requirement in the bylaw.
The bylaw also called for loading spaces to be located in rear and side yards only. A request was made to relax that rule in this case.
The proposal was set to be presented to the town’s municipal planning committee (MPC) late last year but was postponed to the new year. As of yet, no date for that hearing has been set.
Bitz says the MPC hearing was postponed “due to the contentious nature of the overwhelming concern letters received.” That could not be confirmed by the Albertan.
Bitz says she’s not the only resident concerned about the change.
“Numerous concerned residents, including myself, have expressed our objections and concerns to Red Deer County's development officer,” she wrote.
“As you well know, the decisions made by a council through land use bylaws profoundly shape the future of a municipality.
“It is disheartening to observe that the Town of Bowden council appears to lack the inclination to foster economic growth in our town.
“Instead, they seem poised to endorse the construction of a 26-unit apartment complex along 2A, with each unit consisting of just one bedroom. This vision for Bowden's future is indeed disconcerting.
“It is my understanding that less than one per cent of the population is currently aware of the proposed development.
Mayor Robb Stuart, was contacted by the Albertan for his comments on the matter.
“Rumors/opinions are being circulated that we didn't follow due process (MGA rules). Completely false,” he wrote in an email. “See what the new year brings.”
The MGA is the province's Municipal Government Act which lays out procedures all municipalities in Alberta must follow.
Stuart said a proposal to amend the land use bylaw came to council during its Sept. 25 meeting.
“Council reviewed and discussed the proposed amendment with the development officer and town administration. First reading was carried,” he wrote.
“A public hearing was scheduled for Nov. 14. At the public hearing, the development officer presented an overview of the proposed amendment.
“The development officer stated that there were no objections received. At the hearing, no one spoke in favour or opposed to the amendment.
“After the public hearing, second and third readings were carried to amend the land use bylaw to ‘allow some compatible residential uses’ to the central commercial district (C1).”
Stuart confirmed that as yet, no dates for “any further” MPC meetings” have been set.
