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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/2017-03/</link>
        <description></description>
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    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/potential-land-re-zoning-mean-all-eyes-on-cochranes-gleneagles.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/potential-land-re-zoning-mean-all-eyes-on-cochranes-gleneagles.html</link>
        <title> Potential land re-zoning mean all eyes on Cochrane’s Gleneagles</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
It's been quite a few years since the last new home was built in the Cochrane community of GlenEagles. Now, an application to build homes on the very last piece of developable land has been put before the Town's planning commission.


This is another application for the same parcel of land that has been submitted for review – the last one having been rejected just a few months ago.


It's 4.15 acres of prime land from the Jones Estate that was zoned &quot;urban reserve.&quot; However, a builder was to have it redesignated as R-3 so that semi-attached structures can be constructed there adjacent to Glenvista Place. There is a potential for 24 duplex homes to be constructed here.


There have been concerns put forward by residents that the additional traffic would be problematic and that some of the privacy currently being enjoyed by residents would be compromised. After all this time, residents were under the impression that Gleneagles was finished and complete.


An earlier application at the end of 2016 from Hazkar Homes also suggested a rezoning of that land from Urban Reserve to R-1, with plans for 16 detached homes on the 4.15-acre parcel. Cochrane municipal bylaws call for density quotas of a minimum 8 residential units per acre and Hazkar's application was well under this target. It was seriously considered by council and it was hoped that current residents of Gleneagles would approve as the density would be low enough that traffic wouldn't be an issue.


To the contrary, the condo association for Glenvista Place residences and the community felt the December application from Hazkar came too swiftly on the heels of a previous application submitted in October that had just been rejected. Residences had said in October that the did not want any more construction in GlenEagles whatsoever.


Twenty years ago, when the Jones sisters as land owners said they wanted the area left open but in reviewing Cochrane's Municipal Development plan, the parcel has been marked as &quot;potential residential space.&quot;


Other concerns among residents is the current land slope stability issues and reconstruction of existing retaining walls. All the studies conducted by engineering firms in regards to its hillside location indicated that there would be no problem with slope stability but over time, that has proven false.


Plus, the safety hazards of several months worth of construction happening along the slope, which is unprotected from wind high above the floor of the Bow Valley, is a concern for residents.


Many would rather see a park developed on this site.


About Gleneagles


Located east and well above the Town of Cochrane and south of Highway 1A, Gleneagles is one of Cochrane's finest neighbourhoods where residents enjoy breathtaking 180 degree panoramic views of the Bow River Valley and the mountains to the west. The community was founded in the early 1990s.


There are affordable single-family homes in GlenEagles, two-storey and bungalows, as well as several condominium communities in Gleneagles; The Villas of Gleneagles and neighbouring Glenhaven. The units in these developments are bungalow villas and are popular with mature home buyers. There are also luxury walkout bungalows in the Estates of Gleneagles, Gleneagles View and Gleneagles Landing.


The main feature of this community is the Links of Gleneagles, an 18-hole championship public course. It has been consistently ranked high among the top golf courses in the country and in 1997, Golf Digest named it Canada's best new course.


The best views are on the front 9, specifically the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th holes. The back 9 views are best from the 15th, 16th and 17th holes.


The 6th hole on the front 9 is a par 5 and is completely reachable as long as you can navigate the environmental area.


Unless you are a super-fit individual, a cart is recommended as there are several climbs and descents on this course.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:04:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/cochrane-off-leash-park-plans-go-to-the-dogs.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/cochrane-off-leash-park-plans-go-to-the-dogs.html</link>
        <title>Cochrane off-leash park plans go to the dogs</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
After funding was approved and residents of Cochrane consulted, Town Council has decided to put a new off-leash dog park on hold. It was a surprising turn of events.


The park was touted for the north side of Quigley Drive between W Aarsby Road and Highway 22. The vote by council was apparently unanimous.


It's not that there won't be a new dog park in Cochrane. The final location for an official off-leash park is still to be determined. Town council has stated that administration needs to revisit the plans and come up at another area, perhaps on the south side of Quigley Drive along the pipeline corridor.


When public consultation was held earlier in March, approximately 60 Cochrane residents came to provide feedback. Some were opposed, some were in favour, and feedback continues to come into Town Hall by email and by phone. With so many people continuing to express opinions, Cochrane's mayor and council members thought pegging the park for the north side of Quigley may not be the best option.


Mayor Ivan Brooker spoke in person to residents on March 13 and noted the concerns that Cochrane residents had in regards to the parking area and some of the traffic within the parking lot. If that parking area filled up, people would start parking on the streets and congestion and pedestrian safety would then become an issue. The town had hoped to mitigate any parking concerns with additional parking made available by the Bow Valley Baptist church that agreed to share parking with the public Monday through Saturday.


The area to the south of Quigley was an option at one time but was dismissed because of the exact same reasons. However, the mayor feels the spot deserves more consideration and then council will see which spot will generate the least parking concerns. The lesser of the two evils, Brooker remarked.


Part of the consultation process for the next phase of the off-leash issue will be to talk to the businesses on the south side of Quigley, such as Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons and the Ramada Hotel. It could well be that an off-leash park next door to these establishments would be another reason for both residents and tourists to stay as their pets can be let loose.


Administration is going back to the drawing board and the Dog Park Capital Project will be brought back for discussion and approval at the end of June 2017.


There are shared off-leash areas in Cochrane that are about six hectares each. One is along the Bow River at the south end of River Avenue to the bridge opposite Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre where there is ample parking. The other is west of Highway 22 off Griffin Road under the bridge that spans the Bow River. There's a walk to get to the off-leash area which is shared with pedestrians and cyclists and dogs have to be leash led to this area. Because these pathways are shared owners must have full control of their animals at all times.


The proposed dog park is a dedicated park and the town's first official off-leash dog park. It came up for consideration in 2012 when the town adopted its Open Space Master Plan. Construction was slated for 2017. Those people brought into the discussion when the north side of Quigley was first proposed were land owners and Cochrane home owners immediately adjacent the area. The initial feedback was very positive.


Some of the construction planned for the area would be the installation of a chain link fence and tree planting. With additional vegetation, home owners adjacent to the park would have more privacy in the long run. When the park was first approved, council had set aside $300,000 for the first phase of the off-leash facility with a completion deadline of September 2017.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 15 Mar 2017 14:37:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/town-house-living-in-cochrane.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/town-house-living-in-cochrane.html</link>
        <title>Town House Living in Cochrane</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Like a moth to a flame, the Town of Cochrane draws people who love living on the doorstep to the Rockies.  On a clear day, you can almost reach out and touch the mountains.  People love the lifestyle of a smaller centre and access to the highway west.  Nestled along the Bow River Valley, people who choose Cochrane also love the view.


One of the best Cochrane communities for views across the valley is Sunset Ridge on the north side of the town.  This neighbourhood is still evolving and is where home buyers looking to economize on price or even on space will find some fantastic new multi-family developments.


That includes exciting townhome developments with no monthly condo fees which are perfect for the home buyer that loves the outdoors and recreation in the mountains. That’s because some of the newer townhome developments have big garages and lots of space for as many as three vehicles.  And where you have a garage, you have storage for items such as kayaks, skis and snowboards, camping gear, bikes and snowshoes.  All the big toys people have for weekend fun in the Rockies.


Many of these new lifestyle town homes are located on Sundown Road in the Sunset Ridge neighbourhood.  No condo fees in some of the development mean that new home buyers must maintain their own yard and the exterior of their home.  With no condominium board dictating rules home owners have more freedom and lower monthly expenses.  


Excel Homes has a sales centre open and are offering a variety of floor plans.  Three and four-bedroom town homes with two-and-a-half bathrooms with several types of garage orientations.  Final build-out is scheduled for later this year.  For those looking to buy in Cochrane, a professional real estate agent can include this on your tour of homes.


There are many builders participating in this new community north of Highway 1A high above the town. 


Why Purchase a Town Home


Buyers often come to a smaller centre outside the big city because they are choosing a lifestyle as well as a location.  Often, property taxes are less and land values are less so housing ends up being less in a smaller centre.   Combine these aspects of small town living with the economy of living in a town home and it’s a win win for many home buyers.


Town homes are less expensive than single-family homes because they are less expensive to build because they share walls on one or both sides. They may or may not have a basement which will affect the final purchase price.  Cheaper construction costs mean that often builders can put upgrades in a town home without significantly raising the final purchase price.  Quartz and granite counter tops, high-end appliances, quality hardwood floors etc.


A town home is ideal for the first-time buyer. The smaller price tag often means it’s easier to quality to purchase an attached property and allows an entry level buyer to start building equity in their home.  Eventually that equity can be leveraged to move up to a larger home as demands for space grow. For the first-time buyer that has all the space he she or they require than paying off the property is often the goal and can be achieved more quickly in a town home


Because there’s a certain amount of density in a town home development, there’s more security.  More eyes on the parking areas, more eyes on the street and on your home which decreases the opportunity for vandalism and prowling. While lots of people come to Cochrane because they’re looking for neighbourliness and safety, no community is immune from contemporary society and many buyers like the “safety in numbers” philosophy.


A professional real estate agent can guide you through the ins-and-outs of town home living, qualifying for a mortgage and recommend the right Cochrane communities for your lifestyle.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 05 Mar 2017 10:58:00 -0700</pubDate>
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