Regional development plan to be reviewed by Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Cypress County

MPC members were expected to vote on the proposed plan on Wednesday afternoon, however the vote was pushed back by two weeks due to some minor changes that will need to be implemented into the document.

“They had a meeting [Tuesday], the three groups, and decided there was some more to put into this plan before they make it the finished plan,” said MPC chair Brian Varga. “So, we got to bring it back in two weeks once those changes are made into that plan and then we’ll take a look at it then.”

The new plan is expected to replace the existing Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan that came into effect in 2009 and will map out the next 50 years in our region.

According to City of Medicine Hat staff, the policies and spirit of the 2009 plan will mostly remain in place determining where Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and Cypress County could expand to.

However, a handful of proposed changes have been made including designating lands northwest of Medicine Hat and Redcliff along the Trans-Canada Highway as commercial/industrial lands and giving Veinerville the ability to grow by up to 15 lots.

One of the biggest changes could come southwest of the city near the Medicine Hat Airport, as a greenhouse corridor has been proposed for the area.

Already home to the area’s largest greenhouse in Big Marble Farms, the 62 hectare corridor would encourage growth of greenhouses in the area while limiting other incompatible large-scale businesses.

“It’s nice to have them all in one area rather than scattered all over the place,” said Varga. “I think the three parties came up with that to put it in one place and make sure it’s there, everyone can work together for power, electricity, water, and the whole bit. So, hopefully it works out that way.”

Land for annexation for both Medicine Hat and Redcliff is anticipated over the length of the Tri-Area Plan, though nothing is imminent from any of the municipalities according to Varga.

“I think that’s a word that nobody likes talking about,” he said. “Until that ever happens down the road or if it ever happens, that will be a time to discuss it. But, at this time I can’t see any of that happening.”

Collaboration will be crucial for the three municipalities moving forward and over the past decade there have been few major arguments over the pieces of the plan.

One possible disagreement in the proposed document included where future tax dollars could be split in the tentative northwest commerical area, though Varga said that isn’t anywhere close to a deal-breaker.

“Those are issues that will probably come up and they’ll have to deal with and maybe have some tough arguments about or some tough things happen in that time,” he said. “But, I think for the most part we’ll get through that. Whenever good things can come to our city, in the county or in Redcliff, I think it’s a good thing for everybody.”

Following the MPC’s vote on the matter in the coming weeks, a public hearing in Medicine Hat will be held on February 27.

The final step before the plan becomes official will be approval by Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and Cypress County councils.

Towering billboards

Photo courtesy of Bob Schneider

Drivers on one of Medicine Hat’s busiest roads could also see some looming advertising billboards in the coming weeks.

A request made to the MPC by local resident Jay Johnson to place billboards on two sides of the South Railway Street grain elevator was passed unanimously on Wednesday.

The eight billboards will each be 10×20 feet in size hanging on the north and east sides of the elevator and will be visible to both northbound and southbound drivers over the Allowance Avenue overpass.

“I know that there’s been some signs on there before,” said Varga. “Usually at election time they come up. But, for people to advertise their building it’s a great place because there’s lots of traffic that goes over that overpass and it’s something new.”

Two digital signs were also approved to be hung from the sides of the building and will also feature advertising.

The City’s municipal works department completed a site assessment of the digital signs and Varga doesn’t expect the light emitted to impact nearby residents.

“I think most of that’s far enough away that it shouldn’t be a concern to anybody,” he said. “I mean when a person goes to sleep at night they usually close the drapes or they close the curtains or they do something like that. So, really for it to be that bright it has to be like a lightning storm I think for it to come into the windows of the houses that are around that area. So, I don’t see it being a concern.”

Varga added the passing of the proposal could open the doors for more advertising on recognizable buildings in the city.

“I don’t think any place is immune to having this happen as long as they follow the guidelines,” he added. “It’s a thing of the future where it’s been going on for a number of years. As long as they follow those guidelines and see where they’re at with that, I’m sure that we’ll have more to come now.”

The City did not conduct community consultation before Wednesday’s decision, however they did say an appeal of the decision could be possible if enough residents become concerned.

Medicine Hat council will have the final say on the decision at their next meeting on January 20.

by Scott Roblin

Regional development plan to be reviewed by Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Cypress County

Towering billboards

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