Last fall, the community learned that the owners of the Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course had received an offer to purchase the land for residential development. Although the offer fell through, it became clear that we had to mobilize if we wanted to influence the changing landscape of our community. The Shawnee-Evergreen Community Association formed a Land Use Committee, which has been working on the golf course issue from two perspectives:
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Preparing to oppose an application from a future buyer to rezone the golf course land for residential development.
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To work with Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course representatives to find solutions that are agreeable to the community.
Although these two activities have a different focus, they share the same goal – to prevent residential development of the beautiful green space that the golf course has lovingly managed for several decades. But let’s be clear – it’s more than aesthetics and property values that drive this goal. Redevelopment of this large land mass for residential development will dramatically impact quality of life for all residents south of Fish Creek, not only those who live on or near the golf course. There are at least four new high density housing projects currently underway in or near our area:
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Highbury (240 units) across from Fish Creek LRT station,
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Canvas by Medican (300+ units) north of Sobeys,
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Evergreen Grove (193 units) in the heart of Evergreen, and
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Sanderson Ridge by Medican (354 units) north of 146 Ave SW in Evergreen.
We already have traffic problems that impact our daily commute and they will continue to grow when these developments open their doors to thousands of new residents. Now, imagine the impact of filling the many hectares of golf course land with more residential development. It’s scenarios like this that the volunteers are currently researching in preparation to oppose any future rezoning application.
Traffic is one area that the Land Use Committee is researching, but there are others including utilities, density and the relationship between the golf course and Fish Creek Park.
Approximately one dozen volunteers are actively engaged in research under the able direction of John Ackermans, a recently retired project manager. Although many live in the community, it is interesting to note that several volunteers are from neighbouring areas. They recognize the potential impact of losing the golf course to residential development and have stepped forward to lend their expertise.
This is a well organized, professional research team and they continue to welcome new volunteers each month. If you are interested in getting involved, we have a spot for you. You can expect to spend no more than two to three hours a week on this project. Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to learn more. We welcome any questions you may have about the work of the Land Use Committee and our efforts to prevent residential development of the golf course. [edited for website by Norm Rousseau] You can click here, or on the Contact tab in the upper right corner of this site, and submit a short note or attach a file. We’ll get back to you directly and, if appropriate, post our response online.
Richard Arnold
Chair,
Land Use Committee
Shawnee Evergreen Community Association
403-236-9350 / arnoldrm@shaw.ca
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