Lethbridge County passes first reading of bylaw to amend Chinook Industrial ASP

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Sunny South News

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South News

Interim Director of Community Services at Lethbridge County, Hilary Janzen presented on Bylaw 23-008, which includes amendments to the existing Chinook Industrial Area Structure Plan (ASP) and rezoning of a portion of land located within it from Lethbridge Urban Fringe to Rural General Industrial and Business Light Industrial.

County council previously approved the Chinook Industrial Park ASP in November 2018.

“This plan (did) encompass a fairly large area of 200 acres located directly to the east of the city of Lethbridge,” explained Janzen at council’s April 6 meeting, noting the east side of the park is flanked by a St. Mary irrigation canal, marking it as an “ideal area for future industrial development.”

In the past year, the land has been sold and the new landowner of the northernmost part has submitted  significant revisions to the ASP. Janzen said the new landowners, “have a particular vision for their property and how they want to see it developed out, and there was some considerations in the original ASP that could not be met and so amendment was recommended by administration.”

Of the proposed amendments, one major change is related to the servicing for the sites. While potable water would still be provided to this particular area, the proposed amendments would see an on-site wastewater treatment instead of a municipal wastewater service as was indicated in the original ASP.

Further, amendments were requested to the road network as well as an updated traffic impact assessment to minimize the number of thru-roads to reduce up-front costs. Administration noted this also minimizes the County’s ongoing maintenance costs in the area.

An updated stormwater management plan is also being proposed to increase the size of the existing stormwater pond in this area, and have provided those plans approved by the County’s director of infrastructure at Lethbridge County.

Changes also include modifying existing land use districts and updating the phasing and implementation of the area. The landowners have already proposed that rezoning the first phase of this area to the north would include approximately 60 acres, and would be made up of eight or nine parcels. Janzen added interested investors are already lined up to further develop in this area.

“This is somewhat imminent development, this isn’t something that will happen in five to 10 years.”

The landowners have also concurrently submitted a subdivision application and are “very keen on keeping wheels moving.”

Comments and considerations from relevant agencies and the City of Lethbridge will be presented at an upcoming public hearing. Council unanimously passed first reading of Bylaw 23-008. The public hearing will be set for the upcoming council meeting on May 4.