Coal Creek development goes ahead

by Tristan Turner
Morinville News Correspondent

Morinville residents may see more industrial development in town following approval of a new Area Structure Plan. Council has unanimously approved a new Area Structure Plan that would allow the creation of a commercial and business industrial development. The new development, called Coal Creek, would focus on “light industrial activities” according to the ASP.

The 90-Acre potential development is just south of the CN Rail Line and north of the current Morinville Industrial Park. The site is largely used for agriculture right now but does have some small wetlands (swamp/marsh land) protected under legislation.

These protections will require the development of a process for either replacing or providing some compensation for the provincially protected wetlands area. The total area of wetlands estimated to be in the area is 8 ha, according to a Biophysical Assessment done of the site completed by EnviroMak Inc.

The vote came ahead of a nearly empty public hearing, and council had few comments on the proposal before voting unanimously on second and third reading.

The one concern levied during the public hearing was made by Cora Krywko, a representative of the Morinville Seed Cleaning Co-op. Krywko noted that the plant has seen increased “turn around” traffic over the last decade, and a new development adjacent to their site could mean less business for the plant.

Eric Sehn from Select Engineering, a representative of the developer, noted that there would be three entrances and exits to the site and much of the traffic would be local, saying that he suspects the development would have little impact on the seed plant.

Council had no debate over the legislation, and Mayor Holmes commented saying “it is very exciting for us to see this area finally develop.”

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