Town council has paved the way for the development of a $3-million recreational facility in the community's deep south.
At council's Feb. 24 regular meeting, members approved second and third readings for amendments to the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Woodlands Area Structure Plan (WASP) and the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) for more than 34 acres of land that will allow for the construction of a private recreational facility at 6500 Cottonwood Road.
The owner of the land intends to construct a 12,500-square-foot indoor building that will house mini-golf, laser tag, a museum and concession area.
In a presentation late last year when first reading was given to the application, which was reiterated on Feb. 24, council was told it was necessary to change the land use for the MDP from residential to open space/municipal reserve/environmental reserve.
Council heard the WASP needed to be changed from residential and live-work to a new category called private recreation while the property's designation under the LUB needed to be amended from “reserved for future development” to public use (P).
In order to move on to acquiring a development permit and then a building permit, the applicant required council's approval for the necessary amendments said Craig Teal, the town's director of planning and operational services.
Council was told the applicant's intentions were circulated to nearby landowners and there were some questions raised on the potential impact on adjacent water wells if the facility is a large water user, as well as future noise levels.
Teal said the construction for the project, which has an estimated price tag in the “ballpark” of $3 million, is expected to start this spring.
“He has to get those approvals in place before that happens,” said Teal. “I am hoping in the next three months we will actually see activity happen.”
