Ernest Meyer Park to be removed from reserve designation

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Several Taber residents appeared at a Nov. 12 public hearing to voice objections to council’s proposal to remove the ‘reserve designation’ on two town parcels at 53 Street south and at 56 Street and 62 Avenue.

 Town administration recommended that council direct it to remove the designation on a 2.14-acre parcel of land at 53 Street and 40 Avenue, known as Ernest Meyer Memorial Park. It hopes to initiate community recreation and beautification in the neighbourhood with the sale proceeds, but no sale is yet pending.

 The reserve designation was applied to the land in 1978, as part of a subdivision requirement. The park land is a municipal reserve, which offers flexibility in its use, in comparison with conservation or environmental reserves. The meeting agenda said that reserve land is a part of a larger subdivision and development plan as the neighbourhood is designed and built.

 The Municipal Government Act allows developers “to set aside a portion of land as reserve, or the developer can pay the fair market price for that required portion of land to the municipality for other recreational purposes,” the agenda said.

 If council were to remove the reserve designation and sell the land, the proceeds of that sale are required by the MGA to be used to support other recreation purposes in town. Economic development manager Amy Allred said that removal is a common practice in Alberta. Fort Macleod, Crowsnest Pass, Leduc, Lac St. Anne, and Red Deer County are other municipalities which have removed the designation on parcels of land in the past year.

 Town CAO Derrin Thibault told council that the administration has not received a development application for any portion of the park yet. In response to a question from Coun. Bekkering about how much land might be developed, Allred said, “It would depend upon the developer and what they plan to build there. My best guess would be about half an acre.”

 When Coun. Firth asked if council would have further say in the process as the development plans went ahead, development officer Celina Newberry told her that there would be several steps of consultation and notification that would occur. At this stage, council was being asked only for the removal of designation and nothing more.

 Several councillors seemed to be under the impression that future development on the park land would be for low-cost housing, but Thibault made it clear that no development applications had yet been received. It would be premature to make any assumptions about what might transpire. The discussion raised questions that couldn’t be answered due the gaping question mark left by not knowing what a future development would look like.

 Some of the residents who had written letters and spoken during the public hearing stayed for the meeting to hear council’s discussion on the matter. “It’s tough to debate or address some of the concerns when this isn’t necessarily the appropriate time to do it,” Coun. Firth acknowledged. “I’m trying to weigh our need for housing in our community with concerns of the neighbourhood. I believe there is the ability to address these concerns moving forward in the process.”

 The parcel of land can be subdivided to keep a portion of the park intact, and the Town recognized Ernest Meyer as a long-time teacher and principal of L.T. Westlake School. It does not wish to detract from what was dedicated in his memory. The agenda suggested that the subdivided space could be used for a storm pond or to create a neighbourhood community recreational space that all of the local residents can enjoy. The addition of walking trails, benches, trees and greenery is an option.

 Mayor Prokop was cognizant of the public response that had emerged from the proposal , saying, “We don’t know exactly what the developers may have in mind, but if that were to occur, there’s no doubt there would be an impact.” He said a potential sale could affect 1.6 of the 2.14 acres. “I don’t know that I can support that as a result of the many concerns raised.”

 Coun. Bekkering’s motion to approve the removal of designation was approved by six members of council with the mayor being the lone dissenting vote.