Potential land re-zoning mean all eyes on Cochrane’s Gleneagles
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 "urban reserve." 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 "potential residential space."
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.