Development within Rocky View County (RVC) was one of the topics heating up Dartique Hall Oct. 8, as the three Division 9 candidates took the stage for an informal forum.
About 25 people from the area crowded into the hall to hear the candidates — Jill Cairns, Norman Kent and Bruce Kendall — address resident questions and concerns. But issues surrounding county development dominated the two-hour discussion.
The development conversation ranged from countryside community developments, to permit issuance — or lack thereof.
“It comes down to better management,” said Bruce Kendall. “We need to be in a place where, when developers approach the county, we have a clear vision of what a development should look like.”
This vision would come from residents — a conversation that would occur long before developers approach the county, he added.
Kendall went on to explain that it is up to councillors to be dedicated enough to the process to ensure developments don’t veer from the vision.
Cairns agreed, adding that the county should take the extra step to follow up with developers to ensure that projects stay on track.
Kent, who represented Bearspaw on RVC council from 1998 to 2004, was quick to explain the challenge of managing developments — the county’s diversity.
“One size does not fit all — conditions are going to need to vary,” he said. “We can’t have general rules. But we do need securities. We need to be proactive and get the right conditions in place for particular areas.”
He brought up the County Plan, which had its final draft approved Oct. 1, saying the plan was “too prescriptive, too one size fits all” for the vast, diverse county.
Kent’s idea of varying conditions prompted one spectator to whisper, “Now, that would be a good idea.”
Besides development, the candidates shared their views on roadways, cycling, subdivision of land, and gravel pits. One resident even asked the candidates to describe what, if elected, their priorities would be.
For Kent, his top priority would be to address the county’s $66-million debt rooted in building water and wastewater infrastructure in East Balzac, followed by working to eliminate the “bureaucracy” that he said is apparent at the county.
Cairns said her priority would be to amp up the county’s “enforcement and follow-up with developers,” followed by addressing the county’s debt problem. Lastly, she mentioned she’d focus on projects addressing the lack of seniors’ housing.
Kendall was the final candidate to announce his priorities. Topping the list was to improve the interface between council and residents.
“Council needs to be more effective when communicating with residents,” he said. “And the relationship needs to be about recognizing the needs of the customer, or resident.”
Moving down the list, Kendall said the county’s debt needs to be addressed, perhaps by promoting industrial development.
Residents in Division 9 will have their chance to vote for a new division councillor Oct. 21.
