Andrew Whitson

The lot in question in the Young's Beach subdivision is near a large radio tower that some residents are concerned could potentially fall on houses constructed through the proposed development.

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Young's Beach residents concerned over development

The gallery was filled with residents from Young’s Beach during a Lac La Biche County Council meeting last week. On June 12, council discussed a proposed bylaw that would involve rezoning a piece of land in the Young’s Beach subdivision from an agricultural district to low density hamlet residential.

Alberta Ltd., a local contracting firm, is pushing to start construction that could add an additional 34 residential lots on the Young’s Beach property.

The public hearing had several residents address their concerns to Alberta Ltd., and Brian Stratichuk, a representative of the contracting firm, was in attendance to answer questions and concerns that the public might have regarding this project.

Residents expressed concerns about various dangers of construction process, including a proposed large tower, possible drainage issues for the landowners on Hillcrest drive, and the proximately to a natural gas pipeline.

“We are very meticulous in our planning and site-cleanup, this is a project we have discussed in the past and we hope to continue to work towards building this new development,” Stratichuk said. “We have held meetings with the public and have laid out what we wish to accomplish, we are creating a storm-water management centre to help offset any environmental factors.”

Residents presented council with a letter containing 19 signatures, as well as several additional comments expressing the concerns of the people of Young’s Beach.

“We aren’t against development, we just want these points adequately considered and addressed,” said Young’s Beach resident Jean Maurer.

Also in attendance at the meeting was Mike Schulz, a Young’s Beach resident and Natural Resources Program instructor at Portage College. He brought forth several ecological concerns with this new development.

“I live right in front of the proposed development area, and I am concerned about the marsh land area included in the development,” Schulz said. “I would like a hydrologist consulted to ensure that the drainage issues will be fixed by the proposed storm-water management centre.”

The public hearing was a way for council to hear the opinions of concerned residents, and will factor in the concerns during the next steps in the bylaw process.