Post by JOM Admin on Mar 13, 2007 15:45:15 GMT -7
I know this is a lot to put in a post, but the article isn't on the TODAY website anymore. So, for those who didn't see the write-up, here is some news that is rather disturbing to me as a 4x4 enthusiast in McMurray...
New area the focus of proposed development
By LARISSA LIEPINS
Today staff
Tuesday March 06, 2007
A new housing project called Riverbend Point is in the works behind Abasand Heights, in an area that has only seen hikers and ATV users since the ’40s.
Edmonton-based Daon Property Corp. wants to develop 65 hectares of land on a homestead property that has been in private hands since the early 1900s.
The area behind Abasand was home to the Abasand Oils Ltd. and barracks for workers, the first serious oilsands plant in this region. It burned down in the mid-’40s, and the buildings were demolished in the ’70s.
“To some degree, I’m trying to keep apartments out of the mix; it will be mostly single-family homes and townhouses,” said Dale St. Lawrence, owner of Daon, formerly Dayon Development and before that, Sunrise Homes Ltd.
St. Lawrence says he’s built commercial and condominium buildings in Edmonton and B.C.
In a town where property buyers are mostly young families, the focus on single-family homes is correct, said local builder Dave Marshall.
“That’s the market here; in my opinion, developments in town have been concentrating too much on apartments,” Marshall said.
While St. Lawrence said Monday it’s too soon to say how many units will go up on the land, Marshall hopes to see a “good number of units per acre.
“I’d like to see the city use a good density, for instance by including one big park in the development rather than lots of large backyards.”
St. Lawrence also owns half the land; last year, his share was valued at $4 million.
The developer also says he’s in the process of finishing a development application for the region’s planning department. Part of the agreement is to build about two kilometres of road from Abasand Drive to the project, plus a bridge across the Horse River. St. Lawrence estimates the construction, including utility lines, will cost him $21 million, adding he doesn’t want to speculate when building’s likely to start.
The region’s planning department did not reply to requests for information about the development.
This is the latest of many large housing projects going up in and around Fort McMurray.
Last week, the region held an open house for the Saline Creek development just west of the airport, which 20,000 people will eventually call home.
Another 3,700 units are being developed by Centron Residential Corp. in Timberlea, with another 2,000 units going up on adjacent land by Beaverbrook Developments Inc.
Feedback anyone?
New area the focus of proposed development
By LARISSA LIEPINS
Today staff
Tuesday March 06, 2007
A new housing project called Riverbend Point is in the works behind Abasand Heights, in an area that has only seen hikers and ATV users since the ’40s.
Edmonton-based Daon Property Corp. wants to develop 65 hectares of land on a homestead property that has been in private hands since the early 1900s.
The area behind Abasand was home to the Abasand Oils Ltd. and barracks for workers, the first serious oilsands plant in this region. It burned down in the mid-’40s, and the buildings were demolished in the ’70s.
“To some degree, I’m trying to keep apartments out of the mix; it will be mostly single-family homes and townhouses,” said Dale St. Lawrence, owner of Daon, formerly Dayon Development and before that, Sunrise Homes Ltd.
St. Lawrence says he’s built commercial and condominium buildings in Edmonton and B.C.
In a town where property buyers are mostly young families, the focus on single-family homes is correct, said local builder Dave Marshall.
“That’s the market here; in my opinion, developments in town have been concentrating too much on apartments,” Marshall said.
While St. Lawrence said Monday it’s too soon to say how many units will go up on the land, Marshall hopes to see a “good number of units per acre.
“I’d like to see the city use a good density, for instance by including one big park in the development rather than lots of large backyards.”
St. Lawrence also owns half the land; last year, his share was valued at $4 million.
The developer also says he’s in the process of finishing a development application for the region’s planning department. Part of the agreement is to build about two kilometres of road from Abasand Drive to the project, plus a bridge across the Horse River. St. Lawrence estimates the construction, including utility lines, will cost him $21 million, adding he doesn’t want to speculate when building’s likely to start.
The region’s planning department did not reply to requests for information about the development.
This is the latest of many large housing projects going up in and around Fort McMurray.
Last week, the region held an open house for the Saline Creek development just west of the airport, which 20,000 people will eventually call home.
Another 3,700 units are being developed by Centron Residential Corp. in Timberlea, with another 2,000 units going up on adjacent land by Beaverbrook Developments Inc.
Feedback anyone?