CHAT News - Connaught neighbourhood residents discuss the proposed development on Saturday.

By Alex McCuaig

Connaught Commons

Contentious Connaught development up for council discussion on Monday

Oct 19, 2019 | 4:55 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – For many of the residents of Connaught neighbourhood, the development of the empty city-owned lot on the corner of Primrose Drive and College Drive is a thorny subject with many opposing any building on the land.

On Monday, city council will discuss whether to sell the lot to a developer for $1 million which could eventually lead to a proposed medium density, 61-unit sub-division on the lot.

While Connaught resident Kathleen Callaghan acknowledges there is a lot of homeowners in the neighbour against the development, she believes it will be good for the community. A belief contingent on what exactly the development looks like as well as whether the trees on the property remain.

“Frankly, I’m in support of it. I think it’s beautiful land. I think we need more development in the city as opposed to continuing to spread out to the suburbs,” said Callaghan. “I know my neighbours aren’t in agreement but I think its fine.”

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Callaghan did express surprise the topic was set for discussion on Monday. As did other residents who aren’t so supportive of the project.

The administrative committee, chaired by Mayor Ted Clugston, spent more than four hours discussing the topic during its meeting on Oct. 9, referring the matter to the Oct. 21 council meeting. However, the city waited until Friday afternoon to publicly announce the matter was on the council agenda.

Several residents opposed to the development cited the short notice as a way to scuttle debate on the contentious issue in the neighbourhood and noting they will be keenly watching who votes in favour of the land sale.

James Pederson is one of those residents who has concerns about the development and – like many in Connaught – is a long time homeowner in that community.

“The city had sprinklers put in and sod put in and spent somewhere around $275,000 to the best of my knowledge. If they planned on selling it, I don’t know why they just didn’t leave it the way it was in the rough,” said Pederson.

Pederson expressed concerns regarding the high water table on the land and increased traffic.

“It’s going to be pretty congested if your having duplexes and multi-family units put in this lot,” he said.

Grant McKay, city general manager of economic development, said geo-technical studies have been done on the property and acknowledges this is an issue.

“They are going to have to manage the higher water table and when it comes to foundations for the structures they are going to erect, they’ll have to do special foundations that take into account the higher water table,” said McKay, adding paved parking will likely also require additional work.

But these issues can be addressed and are addressed in a number of other developments.

Don Sandford, spokesperson for developer Connaught Commons Inc., said the company is committed to seek public feedback and believes the project will compliment the neighbourhood.

“This sort of gentrification is meant to be consistent with what is already in the general area,” said Sandford. “Connaught Commons will be attractive to all people who live in that area.”

Sandford will be at council on Monday where the company will be presenting its conceptual drawings of the project and its meet the city’s development conditions for the land.