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DONNA BALZER A6 See our listings on page B16
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FREE feb 3 to feb 9 2017 issue 07-04 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
THE GRUMBLE OVER GRAVEL Rocky View’s proposed gravel pit policy has local homeowners crying foul for creb®now
G
ravel hardly seems like a subject to stir controversy, but a proposed policy plan for gravel pits in Rocky View County has done just that. Since the draft of Rocky View County’s Aggregate Resource Plan was announced last year, it has raised the ire of residents in areas close to existing and possible future gravel operations. In the midst of being finalized, the county states the aim of the plan is to create a framework to develop the region’s ample deposits while protecting the well-being of its citizens. Yet some homeowners in the county are skeptical of the plan, arguing it pays lip service to concerns about the potential dangers to public health and the possible negative impact on residential property values. “The current draft is pretty much
biased toward industry,” said Mike Edwards, who lives on a two-acre Crestview Estates property in Bearspaw, about a kilometre northwest of Calgary’s city limits. “We’ve been fighting this stuff for decades.” Proposals to develop a gravel pit operation adjacent to the community were rejected twice in the last three decades. Now Edwards and other residents are concerned the new policy — in its current draft — would make it too easy for proposals for new operations to get the stamp of approval from council. “We think it’s already a problem in the area,” he said, adding his neighbourhood is about three kilometres away from an existing operation, one of about a half dozen operating in and around Calgary. “In the summer we hear the noise from the crusher going 24/7, and you can’t sleep with your windows open,” he said, adding that he believes the dust from operations poses a serious health hazard.
Gravel in the region is high in silica, a known carcinogen. Silica has been linked to a serious lung disease called chronic silicosis, according to a report by the Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association. While operators must take mea-
sures to mitigate air pollution and dust, such as using water trucks, Edwards says it doesn’t make a difference.
GRAVEL A3
Local Rocky View County resident Mike Edwards stands next to the Stoney Trail Aggregate Resource gravel pit. Edwards says he and his neighbours are unhappy with the county’s proposed framework for gravel pit operations in the area.
CMHC LOWERS CONTENTS NEWS BRIEFS CALGARY’S RISK RATING COMMERCIAL
5681 6084 6242 6148 6004 5685 5656 5877 5427
MLS® MONTH END INVENTORY* DEC ’14 – DEC ’16
5022
5533 5706 5641 5394 5141 5137 5215 5600 5623 5327
Office Towers
DEC14 JAN15 FEB15 MAR15 APR15 MAY15 JUN15 JUL15 AUG15 SEP15 OCT15 NOV15 DEC15 JAN16 FEB16 MAR16 APR16 MAY16 JUN16 JUL16 AUG16 SEP16 OCT16 NOV16 DEC16
3384
3765
4336
4796
CITY OF CALGARY
PHOTO BY ADRIAN SHELLARD/FOR CREB®NOW
4990
JOEL SCHLESINGER
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CREB® STAFF
BUYERS PROFILE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
C
EVENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
Southern Comfort
anada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is reporting strong overall evidence of problematic housing market conditions nationally for the second consecutive quarter due to overvaluation and price acceleration in Canada’s housing markets. Despite the concern at a national level, evidence of problematic conditions has decreased in Calgary since the previous assessment.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B15
RISK RATING A3
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First