By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Dysart et al council is moving forward with its planned residential and community development on County Road 21, after endorsing a preferred concept and vision for the municipal lands.
Consultants from The Biglieri Group presented two updated layout options during a regular council meeting Tuesday (Aug. 25). Both concepts, 3A and 3B, addressed municipal requests, such as swapping locations of a planned long-term care facility and a multi-use recreational facility.
Staff recommended going with concept 3A, a single-road layout designed to maximize housing density and cost efficiency. According to a staff report, the concept would allow for a minimum of 119 residential units, while utilizing a single primary road layout crossing an environmental buffer, which planners noted provides “the biggest bang for your buck” in terms of infrastructure efficiency.
Council focused on whether to include a highway commercial block at the front of the planned subdivision. Consultants cautioned that adding commercial space at the property’s entrance complicates stormwater management.
“If the highway commercial block were to go in this area as requested… it essentially takes over the best location for a subdivision storm pond,” Biglieri Group’s Evan Sugden told council.
The project lead went on to note that a commercial zone would require multiple stormwater management solutions rather than a single unified solution.
“We felt it was better and more efficient for the municipality to keep a bigger multi-use block, a simpler stormwater management solution, and a cheaper stormwater management solution,” Sugden said.
Biglieri Group’s civil engineer, Jamie Dick, also recommended a single centralized pond.
“Ideally, one is the way to go here if it can function, work, and give the land the way you guys would like it to,” he told council.
Addressing the project’s priorities, coun. Nancy Wood-Roberts voiced a preference for housing over commercial space.
Council endorsed concept 3A. The Biglieri Group will move forward with preparing and submitting the required Planning Act applications.
