A number of Red Deer County residents are waiting to see what council has to say about the recommendations to approve a biofuel complex in Antler Hill, north of Innisfail.The request will come to council today to subdivide and consolidate five parcels of land zoned direct control district and two that are zoned agriculture.ìDiligent planning requires vision and the mutual cooperation of all stakeholders,î wrote J. Gregory Handford in a letter with Ruth Handford. ìRed Deer County council needs to thoughtfully consider the entire Antler Hill area and its residents. Antler Hill and the valley to the west is a pristine area with one of the best untouched natural views in Central Alberta. It deserves thoughtful future planning and a clear, comprehensive and (a) concise area structure plan needs to be implemented before any new development receives consideration or approval.îThe land was issued rezoning in 2007 and at the time, no area structure plan was required. Neighbours, who have been watching for a biodiesel complex ever since, say an area structure plan has to be created as the truck traffic and noise from other industrial businesses is getting to be too much.ìWe need a structural plan for the Antler Hill and surrounding area so that we do not have an unpleasant and unworkable mix of industrial, agricultural and residential land use with no overall plan managing the planning process,î wrote Lauranne Hemmingway to council.Earlier this year, residents voiced similar concerns when Chiles Homes Ltd. applied to build 32 homes on 40 acres of land. Residents asked council to wait until a comprehensive plan for the whole area was made before accepting any more developments.Div. 3 Coun. Penny Archibald said an area structure plan for the Antler Hill area is coming.ìThere are a lot of acreages up on Antler Hill so they just want to know (when),î Archibald said of people's concerns. She added that she's not sure when the ASP will come forward but said it will be done.In total, nine letters of concern were written to council.The subdivision application will be one of six presented before council today.
