Rocky View councillors unanimously rejected a request to remove a set of emergency access gates in Springbank’s commercial park, Oct. 18.
Approval of the request, made by the park’s developer, Prospect Canada Inc., would have facilitated the removal of a temporary cul-de-sac, located on private lands, and given access to Township Road 245.
“This road is used by a lot of people on foot, on bikes, on horses,” said Kim Magnuson, councillor for the area. “It is still a quiet area and for that reason I would like the access gates to stay in place.”
Staff made the recommendation to maintain the status quo, citing the unsuitability of the Township Road 245 for commercial traffic.
Currently the road has 50 millimetres of asphalt, well below the 120 millimetres needed to support truck traffic. The cost of upgrading the road would be between $300,000 and $350,000 per kilometre, said Byron Riemann, director of infrastructure and operations, adding that upgrades are proposed as part of the 2015 road program.
The staff report asked, should the request be approved, that council move up the date of the scheduled upgrade to coincide with the opening of the access.
“They had the option when they opened this portion... to upgrade it,” said Councillor Lois Habberfield.
“They chose not to. (Now) the costs would be bore by the taxpayers. It seems pretty clear cut that we should just say ‘no.’”
Staff received a number of letters regarding the request, the majority of which were against removing the gates and cul-de-sac.
“We... are very much opposed to this opening,” stated a letter penned by Debbie Lee. “(Range Road) 245 is already a major speedway.”
A late letter, sent by Eric Grimshaw of A1 Cement Contractors, indicated that Magnuson may be biased and should excuse herself from the hearing.
“We believe that for personal reasons plus the possible negative attitude and the statements of some of her closest supporters... we would hereby request that she be asked to either abstain from the panel or remove herself from the hearing,” stated the letter.
The letter also stated taxpayers have a right to use Township Road 245.
The request for Magnuson’s removal was not well received by councillors.
“We have to make decisions, that is what we are elected for,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown.
Councillor Al Sacuta said the letter could be received for information, but should not be debated, as the decision to excuse herself should be Magnuson’s.
A traffic report, completed between Sept. 20 and Oct. 6, indicated the majority of vehicles are exceeding the posted 60 kilometre per hour limit on Range Road 245, with the 85th percentile travelling an average of about 95 kilometres per hour. Several drivers were clocked at more than 160 kilometres per hour, raising the question of safety for potential drivers leaving the commercial development.
“There are no merge or turning lanes,” said Stuart Jewison Rocky View’s operations manager.
“Traffic travelling at those speeds wouldn’t have a lot of time to react to slower moving traffic moving out of commercial court.”
