To My Ward 13 Residents:

In the "Homes" section of Saturday’s Calgary Sun (February 7, 2009) an article titled “Geo Energy Proposes Shawnee Park Development” was featured.

View the articles above and below Diane's response.

Upon reading the article, and in consultation with Administration this morning,  I found the following points and statements to be concerning and misleading:

1.  In the article, Geo Energy indicates that they plan to go before the Calgary Planning Commission in the next few months.

As of this morning, February 9, 2009, the City of Calgary has NOT even received a land use application for this parcel of land let alone have something go to the Calgary Planning Commission in the next two months. Land use redesignation is a long and lengthy process that requires considerable consultation and comments first within the City from various business units.  This is then followed by dialogue and consultation with other effected parties such as the communities in Ward 13, the Province of Alberta, Fish Creek Provincial Park, and myself as Area Alderman, to name a few.  The process for an area this size and with significant community input and consultation will take a considerable length of time.

 Search the land use redesignation process in greater detail on this site.

2.  Further in the article, Mr. Hoes with Geo Energy says, “We will approach local builders to participate and actually have already had lots of interest.”

Once more I refer back to the fact that as of February 9, 2009 the City of Calgary has NOT received a land use redesignation application for this site. To commence with greater detailed plans prior to acquiring the required land use amendment is presumptuous at best. 

3.  The article further stated that Geo Energy has been working with the City on a traffic impact report.

In discussions with members of Administration this morning in regard to this statement,  I can assure all members of the community that Administration has NOT been approached , nor have they been working with Geo Energy representatives to undertake traffic impact studies. 

As always, should you have any questions, comments or concerns about the potential development of the Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course, please feel free to contact me at dcolley@calgary.ca or at 403.268.1624.  Please also go to my website at www.aldermandiane.ca to see my latest communication on this matter. 

Sincerely,

DICU
Diane Colley-Urquhart
Alderman, Ward 13