(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

GROWTH AREA

Red Deer County expanding development around Junction 42

Mar 22, 2022 | 3:52 PM

Red Deer County is looking to further development in the area of Junction 42.

Junction 42 is a commercial development which sprung up in recent years at the intersection of Hwy 42 and the QEII Highway. A total of 11 quarter-sections, however, comprise the County’s broader vision for the area.

During its March 22, 2022 meeting, Red Deer County council unanimously granted second and third readings to the Junction Northeast Local Area Structure Plan (JNLASP).

The JNLASP provides a land use planning framework for one quarter-section just northeast of Junction 42. It allows for the development of light industrial and/or commercial land uses within a strip of land fronting along the QEII. It also provides for a future storm pond and a basic internal road network, while the rest is left for agricultural use.

“This has been in the works for quite a while. This area has long been identified by the County as potential future growth area, and we’re doing whatever we can to see that through. We’re extremely excited to see this moving forward,” says Ron Barr, the County’s Long Range Planning Manager. “This node has such great exposure coming in and off the highways, the exit lanes are fantastic, and it’s natural to serve the travelling public here.”

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Barr sees the quarter-section in the northeast being home to dealerships, perhaps, but at the very least, businesses which may not fit the mold for Junction 42 proper. Technically, a transfer of land from the current owner must occur.

And save for one landowner, there were no concerns brought forward by Alberta Health Services, ATCO, Equs or Alberta Transportation to the County about the proposed development. The landowner, however, is asking the County to be mindful of a few things, including:

• Increased traffic and traffic noise
• A more congested intersection near his property, and loss of privacy
• A view of people using the restroom at Junction 42
• A safety risk in moving large farm equipment from the service road onto property and vice versa

The landowner is proposing the County build a berm to block out some traffic noise and increase privacy, as well the planting of trees for the same purpose.

“There has been some discussion with the landowner there, and we’ve already done some work to appease him to a certain degree. There is an impact on traffic, and the parcel where his homestead is, is quite close to the intersection,” acknowledges Barr. “We don’t ignore concerns. We foster a relationship and address concerns as much as we possibly can.”

The timeline for progress on this development is tough to pin down, but land should become available for sale, Barr says, “hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Meantime, council gave first reading to the Southeast QE2/42 Interchange Local Area Structure Plan, which pertains to two sections at the junction’s southeast corner. The plan area encompasses about 118 hectares, with current uses being a mix of agriculture and public utility.

It’s part of the same 11 quarter-section plan referred to earlier, but will one day be home to a slightly different mix of commercial, industrial and agricultural.

A public hearing for the amendments to that area structure plan will take place May 3.

Maps for each affected quarter section can be seen here (Northeast) and here (Southeast).

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