The McDougal Flats Community Hall was packed last week with people concerned about a proposed aggregate extraction re-designation west of Sundre near the airport.
More than 100 people attended the Aug. 15 public meeting, which was organized by the South McDougal Flats Area Protection Society to offer people an opportunity to learn more about the project as well as to express concerns and fill out a survey, the results of which will be compiled and submitted to Mountain View County. See this week's Gazette for a related story.
"It wasn't torches and pitchforks ó it was quite civil," said society president Robin Tudor last week during an interview with the Round Up.
A similar survey conducted by consultants in March barely yielded half a dozen responses, whereas the public meeting generated as of last week almost 120 replies, with more being submitted, he said.
"There's nothing more we can do. All we can do is put our comments in and wait for them (Mountain View County officials) to respond. The ball is in their court at this point."
Sundre resident and municipal councillor Myron Thompson attended the meeting, and spoke last week with the Round Up as a concerned citizen.
"I can't speak on behalf of the town. But it's an issue that has questions that must be answered," said the former MP and Sundre mayor.
"I find it amazing that a proposal is being brought forward without an environmental impact study and cost benefit analysis."
The Town of Sundre has identified tourism as a top priority for future planning and development, and Thompson said, "I can't see where gravel pits are conducive to that kind of vision."
Such a proposed project stands to impact not only town and county residents as well as businesses, but also the thousands of visitors who enjoy the recreational opportunities available in the area, he said.
Thompson said he would ideally prefer to see the same kind of cooperative approach the town and county embarked on to make a reality the $26.5-million Mountain View Seniors' Housing facility that opened last summer.
"I like the attitude of how the county and the town got that project done. We need more of that ó especially for developing more of a tourist sector."
The president of the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce, who also attended the meeting, spoke with the Round Up to share some concerns about the proposed gravel pit, including the potential impact on traffic as well as air quality at the Sundre Seniors' Supportive Living centre.
"I hope and expect that the county will stop and answer those questions for these folks because they have some valid concerns for sure," said Mike Beukeboom.
"These are questions that haven't been answered. There are some conversations that need to happen before things move forward any more."
Sundre's chamber of commerce intends to hold accountable the county, which he said has not provided sufficient information about the proposed gravel pit to the community ó not just residents but businesses as well. That includes existing locally based aggregate extraction operations that have a lengthy history of being good corporate citizens in the community, he said, expressing confusion over the county's decision to work with a company like Rolling Mix Concrete, which is based in Calgary.
"Partnerships have been established with companies that don't exist here. I have a concern about that."
There's a big discussion to be had, and Beukeboom said he has the impression people have had enough and that the county has to endeavour to engage more with the public. While aggregate is undoubtedly a needed resource, the proper steps must be followed, he said.
"They should be listening to the concerns of their constituents."
However, Mountain View County reeve and Division 4 councillor Bruce Beattie told the Round Up last week that people will have an opportunity to speak to council in October and share questions as well as any issues they might have.
"Any of those concerns, council will consider them at the public hearing," said Beattie.
"We're open to all of those concerns. That's a very important part of our process," he said, adding the county is bound by regulations and procedures as outlined in the Municipal Government Act.
In accordance with the law, a public hearing is required for proposed re-designations, he said.
"We'll listen to the public's input and make a decision based on all of those factors," said Beattie.
There are two separate applications for gravel pit developments ó the proposal for an operation on county-owned land near the Sundre Airport, as well as another application by Rolling Mix Concrete on land adjacent to the east of the airport, said county planner Dolu Mary Gonzalez.
A public hearing for the airport pit is expected to be tentatively set for county council's regular Oct. 11 meeting following first reading on Sept. 13, while the other application by Rolling Mix Concrete remained as of last week under circulation, and a public hearing has not yet been set, she said.
