The Melcor quarter north of Highway 42 and the Penhold Regional Multiplex is growing again.
During the regular council meeting on Aug. 11, Kristina Schmidt, the town's planning and development officer, presented a subdivision application for 60 residential lots, one public utility lot, and one remainder lot with recommendations from administration.
“The area, soon to be known as Oxford Landing, has an active gas well near the proposed subdivision,” said Schmidt. “An application has been made to the Alberta Energy Regulator to reduce the setback from 100 metres to 50 metres. If they do not grant the setback, the proposal will not be approved as presented.”
She noted that Alberta Transportation had concerns regarding the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA), which will be reviewed and resubmitted. ATCO Gas also requested a utility right-of-way.
Rick Binnendyk, the town's chief administrative officer, confirmed the TIA was being worked on.
Noxious weeds discovered
Noxious weeds have been found on the southeast corner of the Melcor quarter.
During a report from Rick Binnendyk, the town's chief administrative officer, at the Aug. 11 regular council meeting, it was noted that “a weed infestation identified by Red Deer County as scentless chamomile” had been discovered in a small area in an undeveloped subdivision.
According to Cody McIntosh, assistant agriculture manager, “the county works closely with other municipalities” to control noxious weed infestations.
“In this case, we identified the weed, and the Town of Penhold removed it,” said McIntosh. “Our job is made far easier if we are able to help our partners be proactive with weed control.”
A noxious weed is defined as: “a weed that has been designated by county, state, or national agricultural authorities as injurious to agricultural and/or horticulture crops.”
Examples of noxious weeds include leafy spurge, field scabious, white cockle, Canada thistle, tall buttercup, ox-eye daisy, yellow toadflax and Himalayan balsam. For more information on noxious weeds property owners can go to www.invasiveplants.ca and www.rdcounty.ca
