Land proposed in Industrial Area Structure Plan (Red Deer city council meeting agenda Nov. 21 p. 576)

By Alessia Proietti

Snow storage and emergency training facility

New Industrial Area Structure Plan approved for land north of Chiles Industrial Park

Nov 22, 2022 | 2:58 PM

Red Deer city council approved second and third reading on Monday for a new Industrial Area Structure Plan (IASP) for the land north of Chiles Industrial Park.

Council approved first reading on Oct. 24, for the amended plan which includes a snow storage and emergency services training facility.

READ: Snow storage, fire training facilities planned near Chiles Industrial Park

The City says that the IASP is comprised of 29.23 hectares (ha) of land where only 0.19 ha is privately developed in the south end for an odor management facility. The remainder is predominantly being leased by an area farmer for pastureland. It is bordered by Highway 2A to the west, Township Road 391 to the north, the Canadian National Railway to the east, and Chiles Industrial Park to the south.

At the Public Hearing on Monday, Mike McRee, neighboring area landowner, brought concerns forward to council. He questioned what environmental studies relating to contamination are being done regarding the drainage from the snow storage facility’s runoff into his pond which he uses for farming, livestock, and fish stocking.

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Engineering Manager, Konrad Dunbar said a study is currently being done by a consultant to look into the drainage tunnel from Hazlett Lake to the Red Deer River. He also said the snow storage facility would fall under Alberta’s Environmental Regulations which will need to be revisited at the facility’s future developmental stage.

Councillor Lawrence Lee asked if current snow storage facilities are being monitored for pollutants. The City stated as the facilities are under previous regulations from the time they were built, they are required to prevent transportation of silts into the downstream water course and some storm treatment facilities remove floatables and other solid debris. However, they said dissolved elements are not currently being treated.

McRee also inquired about a potential protective sound barrier if the area will be used for heavy industrial purposes.

Christi Fidek, Senior Planner for The City, confirmed that an acoustical study will take place prior to construction to measure noise pollution.

McRee’s final inquiry regarded the current odor management facility. He says the facility still emits an unpleasant odor and is concerned about the impact to and from future industrial lots beside it.

Fidek confirmed as the area is an I1 District for Industrial Business Service, The City is allowed to enforce the land owner to manage offsite smells.

Norman Chiles, owner of the Chiles Industrial Park, also spoke at the Public Hearing stating he has completed a number of applications to subdivide his land east and south of the IASP area.

Chiles’ daughter spoke on his behalf, expressing concern about traffic flowing into their subdivision.

Administration acknowledged the long term plan of potentially constructing an interchange of Highway 2A and 11A, which would move traffic flows south through Chiles Industrial Park to Highway 2A. However, they say this idea is not certain and would be over 30 years into the future. Until then, they confirm current access to the area remains from Township Road 391 and Highway 2A.