By Sheldon Spackman

After a lengthy public hearing...

Council votes to keep Molly Banister Drive extension in city plans

Oct 27, 2020 | 11:01 PM

Red Deer city council has voted to keep the Molly Banister Drive protected roadway alignment extension as an option in the City’s future development plans.

In a 5-3 vote following a public hearing on Tuesday that lasted over eight hours, council defeated a recommendation from City administration to remove the potential extension from both the Municipal Development Plan and East Hill Major Area Structure Plan, which would also remove a future emergency services facility and a collector road located in the same quarter section, west of 40 Avenue – north of 22 Street.

The proposed alignment would see Molly Banister Drive extend across Piper Creek just east of Bower Place, and hook up with 22 Street at 40 Avenue.

(City of Red Deer)

Councillors Lawrence Lee, Frank Wong, Vesna Higham, Tanya Handley, and Buck Buchanan voted to keep the alignment, while councillors Ken Johnston, Dianne Wyntjes, and Deputy Mayor Michael Dawe voted to approve the recommendation to remove it.

project will take one year

Construction activity to start on hospital parkade expansion

11h ago

Red Deer man charged after police locate stolen vehicle

11h ago

City and County to collaborate on regional economic development with NRED grant

14h ago

Mayor Tara Veer did not vote on the matter. She declared a conflict of interest because she lives nearby.

Tuesday’s public hearing heard presentations from 33 people. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, residents voiced their opinions either from the Harvest Centre at Westerner Park via video to council, or over the phone. Of those who spoke, 13 favoured keeping the road extension in the city’s plans while 19 wanted it removed.

The city also received 107 written submissions prior to the hearing, with 58 people wanting to keep the road extension in the plans and 49 wanting it removed.

Currently, the City’s statutory plans show the protected alignment as a four lane undivided arterial road, similar to 22 Street between 30 Avenue and 40 Avenue, bisecting Piper Creek.

Tuesday’s vote by council keeps this an option to accommodate traffic in the city’s southeast once Red Deer’s population reaches about 188,000 people, which is estimated to be in about 34 years.

Following extensive public consultation, Councillor Lawrence Lee says the issue became clear to him that an effective transportation network is a priority of the majority of residents.

“The numbers spoke for themselves, (referring to survey results) – 58 per cent versus the 41 in the community. We have to honour that as elected officials,” said Lee.

Councillor Vesna Higham says the decision for her was all about balance.

“We need to balance the environmental impacts to a treasured, sensitive green space, against the importance of efficient movement of people, including traffic across our community,” she remarked. “Administration on this point has assured us that means can be devised to build an extension over Piper Creek that would keep the walking trails and wildlife corridor intact.”

Councillor Tanya Handley admitted it was an extremely difficult decision for her.

“If we retain the alignment, we still can investigate other options. I don’t see voting against the amendment as an end, but potentially opening up to more options in the future,” she suggested.

“For me, the key point is being able to maintain the ability to do it,” added Councillor Buck Buchanan. “If we don’t do that, we’re not going to get the opportunity to go back and change that.”

Councillors Dianne Wyntjes and Ken Johnston felt differently, with Johnston saying he just wasn’t able to justify the cost of the potential extension to save only a small amount of commuting time for drivers.

Wyntjes added that the environmental factor was top of mind for her.

Deputy Mayor Michael Dawe expressed his disappointment with Tuesday’s vote, pointing out that developer Melcor has made a significant investment in the city, while previous land owners Dorothy and Ruth Bower wanted to see the extension removed from City plans.

Dawe feels council is sending a bad message.

“To me, it’s an investment and business message that we’re sending,” he lamented. “I think with all good intentions, I think once again, we’re wedging ourselves sideways. We’ve had our professionals that we asked give us their expert opinion, have said, you don’t have to keep it in, there are alternatives. And we’re not taking that opportunity.”