Catching frogs, skating, weenie roasts – these are a few of the favourite things residents of The Willows and surrounding neighbourhoods cite when they sign petitions and attend public hearings in droves to try to save a beloved pond in their backyard.
So far it’s a stalemate.
A Willows woman has been following the Cochrane Town Council process over the development of the parcel of land next to her home. She said the elected officials have turned a blind eye to nearby residents’ calls for a stop to the project.
Sharon Olliffe says Town Council has ignored their own environmental rules by allowing a new development to proceed in the south edge of town, putting the future of the pond, designated as Wetland 80, in jeopardy.
She calls the pond a community treasure – an environmentally sensitive area and a haven for wildlife.
Currently located on private land, local residents use it as a skating rink – something the Town points out is unsafe and illegal.
“The Willows neighbourhood isn't just a pretty pond – it's a thriving ecosystem that's home to incredible wildlife, including but not limited to the tiger salamander, deer, many types of waterfowl including cranes, coyotes, frogs, snails, slugs and many more,” Olliffe said.
Olliffe said the current development plan, which was discussed at a public hearing last May and again a couple of weeks ago, would mean the end of the pond.
Concerned residents organized a protest on Nov. 17, at the pond in a show of support aimed at keeping the issue front of mind for Council, which has yet to give Second Reading to the latest amendments proposed by the developer.
The applicants for the proposed development appeared before Council at a three-hour public hearing last May.
At that meeting, the 24 area residents expressed strong opposition to any development that would threaten or destroy the pond.
At the May meeting, the developer said since the catchment area surrounding the pond has been altered already, even if no new construction took place in the area, the pond is likely going to dry up anyway.
Wetland 80 is fed through overland drainage only – there is no ground water feeding it.
Some neighbouring homeowners backing onto the wetland said they bought their houses with the understanding that the pond and surrounding area was a preserved wetland.
The developers appeared at a Nov. 4 Town Council Committee of the Whole meeting, where amendments to the original Neighbourhood Plan were presented for discussion only. Committee of the Whole meetings are designed as information-only. There are no votes taken.
Any Plan amendments would still have to go through the regular council approval processes. Town of Cochrane Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services Drew Hyndman said the process is essentially on hold for now, since Council has not put it forward for Second Reading.
“As of right now, the applicant has requested the application be put on hold,” Hyndman said.
He said the reality of the situation is that at some point there will be development on that land. The only question is what form that development will take.
Hyndman disagrees with the characterization of council not following its own environmental rules, since the process is still being debated.
“So to say that Council is not listening to its own rules. I think, is unfair and untrue.”
He also suggested that Olliffe contact his department.
“I would encourage Sharon to come talk to Administration, and to reach out to her councillor as well,” Hyndman said.
“It’s all about ensuring there is effective communication with the community as well,” he said.
Opponents of any disturbance to the pond may get another kick at expressing their views to Council in a second public hearing.
If approved, the proposed Neighbourhood Plan amendments could be subject to a required non-statutory Public Hearing, should Council decide to go that route.
The Town’s Wetland Policy states that its purpose is to “clarify to the development industry, Town Staff, and contractors the rules regarding the potential use and development of lands in proximity to wetlands and associated riparian lands.”
One of its Guiding Principles is listed as being to “Support innovative approaches to integrating natural wetlands into the urban setting that support maintaining their natural characteristics and functions.”
The next steps would include the review and approval of the subdivision and granting of development permits, scheduled for 2025. Building permits could then be issued in 2025-26, with shovels in the ground by 2025-26.
