Proposed 432 unit seniors development

Nautical Lands Group's proposal for the “Wellings of Stettler,” 432 units in three phases just across the road from West Stettler Park. ECA Review/Submitted
Written by Stu Salkeld

The Town of Stettler town council gave initial approval to a very large seniors development proposed for the west edge of town south of Hwy. #12. 

The decisions were made at the May 18 regular meeting of council.

The town’s Director of Planning and Development Leann Graham presented two related parts of a single proposal to build a seniors housing community of over 400 units not far from where the UFA farm supply business now sits.

Graham’s report to council included two bylaws that were part of the project proposed by Nautical Lands Group which was being represented by Stantec Engineering, and the bylaws included one proposing to alter the West Stettler Highway 12 South Area Structure Plan (ASP) and the second was a re-zoning bylaw that would change urban reserve land to multi-use residential land at lot 8, block 2, plan 2022777 and lot 1, block 2, plan 1423578 to allow a large seniors housing community.

In her memo regarding the ASP change Graham stated, “The applicant has requested the amendment to accommodate the development of a 432 unit seniors residential development ‘Wellings of Stettler’ that will include multi-unit row housing developed in three phases with phase one consisting of a group use facility (clubhouse) and 154 dwelling units.

“The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and ASP amendment applications have been accepted by the town and are being processed concurrently with both applications before council for consideration of first reading.” 

Graham noted in her report that the ASP was originally approved in 2010.

“The properties in question are UR Urban Reserve parcels that are currently vacant hay land and the change in use to R2B Multi-Unit Residential is consistent with the intent of the West Stettler Highway 12 South Area Structure Plan,” stated Graham in a memo.

A colour map included in the re-zoning bylaw featured a legend noting three unit types totalling 432 units with 650 parking spots, plus 32 more parking spots for the clubhouse. 

According to the same map, phase 1 and 2 would be on the north side of the project, while a smaller phase 3 would be on the south side.

In comparison, the Village of Alix has 397 residences according to its residential garbage pick-up list.

Graham stated if both bylaws passed first reading they would be publicly advertised and public hearings held.

Councillors unanimously approved first reading of both bylaws and the public hearing was scheduled for June 15.

 

Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

ECA Review

About the author

Stu Salkeld

Stu Salkeld, who has upwards of 28 years of experience in the Alberta community newspaper industry, is now covering councils and other news in the Stettler region and has experience working in the area as well.

He has joined the ECA Review as a Local Journalism Initiative Journalist.

Stu earned his two-year diploma in print journalism from SAIT in Calgary from 1993 to ’95 and was raised in Oyen, Alta., one of the communities within the ECA Review’s coverage area.