To better address the distress around the proposed concrete batch plant in Cochrane, Mayor Jeff Genung shared more information on the proposal to better inform residents on the situation.
The proposed concrete batch plant would be situated in Cochrane’s Bow River Valley, where the Heidelberg Materials gravel pit is currently located.
First and foremost, Genung said there is a lot of misinformation on the topic that is circulating the community.
“The history of the gravel pit was that it was given its gravel extraction use in 1980, so that’s the first point most people are surprised at,” Genung explained. “So given that, the gravel pit has been purchased by Heidelberg Materials and they applied to have a concrete batch plant there, which is what we call – discretionary use.”
He further explained that this does not mean it falls under permitted use.
“Discretionary use means it’s allowed there, but you have to go through a process,” Genung said. “It’s not [Town] council that makes that decision, it was the Cochrane Planning Commission. And it’s not a hearing, it’s more [like] administration puts forward what the planning department thinks about it.”
Through this, the applicant has an opportunity to say what their plans and intent are to a panel.
“Then the panel, which is made up of two councillors and five public at large, decide on either yes we’ll allow this, or no we won’t,” Genung said. “So, that was approved through that process, and council has no decision making in this whatsoever.”
What is proposed
While reaching out to residents at the Cochrane Chamber Trade Show over the weekend, Genung said he’s been informing locals on the situation.
“I’m not speaking in favour or opposition, I’m just relaying facts on what is being proposed,” he said.
He noted that some individuals thought the proposal was for a cement plant, similar to the Lafarge Exshaw Concrete Plant, which would involve smokestacks, mining operations, and excavators.
“That is not at all what’s being proposed here,” Genung said. “It is a place where, and what I understand from the application, is that it would be a 40 x 60 shop.
“[It’s] Basically a building that would be constructed, and a concrete cement truck would go in the building, get filled with gravel, water, and cement mix, and then drive out.”
For residents concerned about the environmental aspects, dust generation, and pollution, the planning process has several limitations and conditions within it.
“If there’s dust, we have a way to mitigate that, and we have restrictions around water quality, et cetera, that’s [with] Alberta Environment,” Genung said. “They have their own process in which this will have to go through, or at least align with that so there’s not out of bounce in any of these points.
“I think most residents should be rest assured that all of those things have been contemplated or will be at least given a condition of approval, it it’s given approval.”
Genung understands that there may be an appeal coming to planning commission, this would then go to the Subdivision Appeal Board where it would make its final decision.
“And that, again, is a public board with one councillor on it and six members of the public,” Genung said.
Right now, Genung said the decision should be in a 21-day period from when the planning commission made their decision for people to appeal it, which would make it go through another process.
“I think we are in the middle of that 21-day period, if I understand correctly,” Genung said. “I think it was made the April 17 when the decision was made.”
Not the first time
Another point Genung tries to relay to the community is that there was a concrete batch plant in Cochrane that was similar, if not exactly like what is being proposed in the gravel pit.
“That operated in Cochrane at was then the Burnco Gravel Pit, which is now Greystone,” Genung said. “So, this isn’t something that’s now to Cochrane.
“This isn’t some foreign concrete entity that’s going to change our community. It’s really where a cement truck would go get filled, and that operated right across the street from Riverview for a number of years. I’m going to say 20-plus years.”
Genung added that there are other things to consider in relation to the concrete batch plant.
“It sounds like I’m in favour of this, but I just think people don’t understand what’s being contemplated,” Genung said. “All of the concrete that comes in to Cochrane right now comes from the City of Calgary.
“There’s no cement, no concrete plant, or batch plant anywhere in our jurisdiction. So, this, if approved, would actually keep more truck off the highway and allow that product to be manufactured right here in Cochrane.”
Under the current operation, when Green Drop formerly owned the gravel pit, the lifespan of the gravel pit would be 20-plus years. Genung said Heidelberg estimates that it would cut the lifespan of its lifespan by at least half, if the batch plant were to be put there.
“So, the whole gravel operation would be gone, including the cement, and the concrete batch plant in there,” Genung said. “They’re saying it would be roughly 11 years.”
Before it cures
As it stands, Genung said that if no appeal is submitted, the decision by the Cochrane Planning commission will stand. This would allow Heidelberg Materials to move ahead with the construction of the concrete batch plant.
As previously mentioned, if an appeal were received, it would trigger a Subdivision Appeal Board meeting, which undergoes a similar process as the planning commission.
“They look at the application from the planning department about what the technical aspects of the application are,” Genung said. “And I believe they also hear from the applicant, so that they hear exactly what’s being proposed, and then they make a decision.
“That decision is final, one way or the other.”
Genung invites resident who want to learn more about the proposal to contact the planning department at the RancheHouse. He outlined that they will go through the same information he shares with everyone else.
He added that they can help residents better understand the appeal process if they are looking to do so.
“So, whoever is appealing would have to have a reason and speak to that at the appeal hearing,” Genung said. “There would be a public meeting that people can attend, but I would encourage people to contact the planning department.”
Overall, Genung said he is a little frustrated, and that’s not only due to what was being said on the concrete batch plant, but for other topics surrounding Cochrane.
“There seems to be many topics where people have an idea or run with the rumour of what something might be, or what the proposal exactly is,” Genung said. “Then it turns into a campaign that’s a lot of dissatisfaction and uprisal in the community.”
He further explains that whenever the facts come out, it always leads to better understanding of the situation at hand.
“I would just encourage people to go look at both sides of a story before they start to from opinions,” Genung said.
