Title
Panattoni Development Company request for Municipal Reserve land dedication transfer.
Proposed Motion(s)
1) That Council authorize Administration to enter into an agreement with Panattoni Development Company to transfer the Municipal Reserve land dedication from the donating lands, containing 12.64 ha., located in the North half of 28-52-26-W4M to the receiving lands in the S.W. 08-53-26-W4M containing 19.84 ha.
2) That Council support the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) to acquire and manage the 19.84 ha. of Municipal Reserve land dedication to be located in the SW 08-53-26-W4M for conservation purposes.
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration supports the proposed motions.
Purpose
Panattoni Development Company is an owner and developer of land in the Acheson Industrial Park that has completed subdivision activities in Zones 1 and 5. They are currently considering the development of 126.48 ha of land in the north half of 28-52-26-W4M, in Zone 7 of Acheson. Development of these lands is anticipated to commence in 2016-2017. Panattoni Development Company have requested support from Parkland County to transfer the Municipal Reserve land dedication owing from the said lands to a receiving parcel of environmentally significant land located adjacent to the Wagner Natural Area.
Summary
The proposed Municipal Reserve land dedication transfer would protect a significant environmental corridor/area within Acheson as shown in Map 3. The proposed transfer and conservation of these lands - and this corridor - provides an environmentally significant area sufficiently sized to potentially accommodate a mix of future passive recreational uses suitable when considered in conjunction with the NCC and the Wagner Natural Area. Further details are outlined in the attached Administrative Report.
Policy
Municipal Development Plan Policy 7.4 permits MR to be used for the protection of environmentally significant and valued natural features. The subject lands are identified in the Acheson Area Structure Plan as lands the County should acquire to enhance the existing Wagner Natural Area. Council Policy “C-PD15: Dedication of Municipal Reserve” typically anticipates "cash-in-lieu" payment for Municipal Reserve dedication through subdivision of lands in the Acheson Industrial area; however, the requested consideration by Panattoni is consistent with past requests made by other developers.
Strategic Plan (2014-2018)
This proposal aligns with Strategic Plan Environment Commitments to “Implement measures to protect natural features and resources” and “Ensure development respects the environment”. It also serves the 20-year Environment goal of “Parkland County respects its natural environment and actively identifies opportunities for environmental protection to act as a steward for future generations.” Regarding the Community commitment the proposed dedication aligns with Community's 20-year goal “Parkland County is a safe, inclusive, and healthy community that residents are proud to call home.”
Background/Justification
Panattoni Development Company is an owner and developer of land in the Acheson Industrial Park that has completed subdivision activities in Zones 1 and 5. They are currently considering the development of 126.48 ha of land in the north half of 28-52-26-W4M, in Zone 7 of Acheson. Development of these lands well commence in 2016-2017. Panattoni Development Company have requested support from Parkland County to transfer the Municipal Reserve land dedication owing from the said lands to a receiving parcel of environmentally significant land located adjacent to the Wagner Natural Area. The County has previously negotiated two (2) similar Agreements with other Acheson Industrial Park land owners/developers (Fath-Kolmes Natural Area and Trans America’s Miller Lands) as noted on attached Map 2.
The acquisition and protection of these lands would also complete the open space buffer between Osborne Acres to the south and the industrial/commercial uses developing north of Township Road 531A fronting Highway 16 in Acheson Zone 1. The contiguous parcels of conservation areas adjacent to the Wagner Natural Area are more environmentally significant and efficient to maintain rather than accepting a number of smaller (potentially far less environmentally significant) reserves throughout the Acheson Industrial Park area.
Financial Impact
The off-set of the MR land dedication from the north half of 28-52-226-W4M to the SW 08-53-26-W4M does not have a direct financial impact to the County. The developer, Panattoni Development Company is responsible for all financial cost associated with the purchase, and endowment, to the existing owner of the receiving parcel and to NCC.
Alternatives
1. Council could table this matter and request additional information from Administration prior to considering the matter.
2. Council could direct Administration to require "cash-in-lieu" for the lands located on the North half of 28-52-26-W4thM, and directly purchase the lands on the SW 08-53-26-W4M for conservation purposes.