The MD of Bighorn is assessing options for potential developmental land within its Area Structure Plan (ASP) in the expanding hamlet of Dead Man’s Flats.
A draft concept was presented to the public during an open house on Tuesday (Feb. 17) at the Mad Dog Café and Market in Dead Man’s, which was intended to showcase long-term plans and objectives for 71 acres of future development land.
The ASP is to provide a policy framework for land uses, subdivisions and general location of transportation routes and public utilities. Two development areas were a focus – a North and East ASP – and their visions came to light at the open house.
The north area, adjacent to the Bow River, is envisioned as a recreational area, which may include a multi-use green field, while the east area, considered to be a greater development opportunity, is proposed to be used for light industrial and commercial growth.
“With a limited supply of developable land left in the valley, and the inability of the province to finalize the land exchange, MD council made the decision to undertake the ASP process for these lands,” said MD Reeve Dene Cooper.
In late 2013, Bighorn council directed the start of an ASP process at Dead Man’s, after the province had declined to complete a land exchange involving the ASP lands. McElhanney Consulting was hired in spring of 2014 to prepare the ASP.
“The ASP allows us to create a plan for future development at Dead Man’s Flats that will meet the long-term fiscal objectives of the MD,” Cooper said.
The ASP area is within context of the DMF Redevelopment Plan Bylaw, which has the purpose of guiding orderly and efficient redevelopment in the hamlet.
As more development and residents look to find permanent residency in the valley, the impact on the diverse wildlife becomes a centre of focus. Near the east ASP a wildlife underpass is located. According to technical background studies undergone in the area, it will require mitigation measures for any future development.
After a consultation period, it is expected that a final draft for first reading will be in front of council in either April or May.
The lands at Dead Man’s have been part of an over decade-long exchange negotiation between Bighorn and Alberta. In 2012, Bighorn and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development signed a “terms and conditions” letter, agreeing with the belief that the exchange of 71 acres of land would eventually happen at Dead Man’s for developable Crown land of equal market value located elsewhere in the Bow Valley.
The “terms and conditions” letter, however, also required authorization from Alberta Tourism Parks and Recreation, since some of the Crown lands involved in the exchange were under the wildland park designation. But the Minister of Tourism Parks and Recreation had declined to sign, as did her successor a few months later. Since that time, successive provincial ministries have been unable or unwilling to secure lands for Bighorn to complete the land exchange.
