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Southeast Structure Plan Up for Decision

Mar 1, 2016 | 2:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE – It’s been nearly three years in the making, but Lethbridge City Council will soon be making its final decision for development in the southeast.

About 680 hectares is up for discussion.

The area south of 24th Avenue South is slated for mainly residential space. It’ll include three proposed schools, several recreational/community centres featuring things like shopping and health care, a number of parks, a connection from Six-Mile Coulee to Henderson Lake and a brand new Blackfoot Interpretive Park.

A special planning area to the north of 24th Ave also has two different options. It will either be another low-density residential development or industrial/commercial.

It’s estimated that 14,500 residents and businesses will call this area home.

“The city does area structure plans for all parts of the city. It sets a framework for how development will take place,” explained Director of Planning and Development, Jeff Greene.

“This started in 2013. It’s just now getting to a point where it’s coming to the decision-making part of the exercise. There are different ideas for how land use shuold be integrated. That’ll be something that council has to deliberate on in terms of what’s the appropriate mix of housing and employment areas.”

It was also proposed that traffic from 43rd Street be moved east, so neighborhoods can be integrated rather than separated by the major roadway.

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 18 for residents to have their final say in the design. Council will have the opportunity to accept the ASP at that time, as well.

Greene says the plan is very general at this point, and more detail will be provided in subsequent stages.