The City will be going forward with steps to appeal the development of an auto dealership in the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) area, previously approved by the County of Vermilion River.
The IDP document was established to manage growth in the area to help with transitions during future annexations by the City.
“Each municipality has the right to develop, we don’t disagree we that. We just feel in the Intermunicipal Development Area we need to have some consensus before such commercial developments and maybe even residential developments in the future go out into that area. I think it’s in the best interest of the city to try and protect that area for future growth,” says Interim City Manager Rick McDonald.
In September, the City brought forward their initial appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) Hearing at the County of Vermilion River and the Board denied their appeal. The City is now looking at appealing the decision further.
“We don’t believe that it fits within their land use bylaw and within the Intermunicipal Development Plan area. Obviously there’s safety issues when you start developing commercial properties along the highway. We’re of the view that, number one that will attract more commercial development and safety will become a major issue. We think that more planning needs to happen and it needs to be cooperative between the two municipalities,” says McDonald.
He adds there could be more legal costs as the city continues.
“We also believe that in the big picture, the City’s future development is West. Certainly we would like to see that development plan that is in the best interest of the City.”