Calgary-area residents have expressed concern over the updated airport plan

MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY – The county council will have another look at the Olds-Didsbury Airport Regional Structure Plan on Wednesday after delaying the second reading of the legislation passed last week.

Some residents who live near the municipally-owned airport and have land within the plan's boundaries expressed their concerns during a public hearing last week.

The original ASP for the facility was approved in 2006 and is being updated at the council's direction. The project, which includes an open house in January, is overseen by a steering committee.

Olds-Didsbury Airport is located west of Highway 2A between Olds and Didsbury.

The updated ASP established by Act No. 07/24 provides direction for future land use, potential subdivisions and requirements for future development of the airport and surrounding areas.

The proposed updated plan includes a number of key changes from the original ASP, including as outlined in the administration's briefing note presented at the hearing:

• Expansion of the boundaries of the ASP: the plan area of ​​Law No. LU 26/06 consists of only two quarters (SE 5) covering the current footprint of the airport and the possible future expansion area of ​​the airport. -32-1-5 & SW 5-32-1-5). The steering committee's direction was to include all areas directly affected by airport height restrictions and noise impact zones within ASP boundaries. This is an increase from the current two quarterly divisions to 31 quarterly divisions.

• Updated height restriction map: The purpose of the height restriction map is to indicate the permitted height of development that may occur in the takeoff and landing areas of airport runways. The Steering Committee wishes to update this map to a maximum additional 206 meters to reflect current standards for protecting runways from the height of nearby structures, while also protecting the take-off and landing areas of future extended runways. (675 feet).

• Location restrictions for subdivisions of new settlements (R-CR). Agricultural land use and development have coexisted with the airport for many years, although residential subdivisions have been found to be less compatible with the airport given the noise levels they can generate.

The updated ASP also does not support new limited feeder operations, does not support new communication towers if they interfere with the safe operation of the airport, and does not support new commercial alternative/renewable energy.

Glen Bradley, chairman of the steering committee and aviation advisory committee, spoke during the hearing.

“The Aviation Advisory Committee supports the ASP,” he said. “We hope this ASP will help support the airport's future growth and improve the surrounding community.”

“ASP's goal is to enable the airport to continue to grow, while also ensuring the safety of airport operations. The proposed plan seeks to preserve rezoning, subdivision and development opportunities as closely as possible, with some restrictions on development with specific requirements.”

William Pochapsky, who owns property east of the airport, also spoke at the hearing.

“In this case, I believe that myself, as well as other manufacturers and landowners, will be affected by the scale and vision of the airport expansion,” he said.

“The scope of the ASP ignores the negative impacts on area residents and landowners for future airport growth.”

He said his concerns include potential adverse effects on land values, increased air and surface traffic due to accelerated development, increased safety concerns for residents and landowners due to increased traffic, noise and privacy concerns and land taken from agricultural speculation.

“I understand the diversity of the county goes beyond agriculture and private landowners, but the rights and interests of landowners who will be negatively impacted by future development growth must be respected,” he said.

Area landowner Anke Wierenga said there are “similar concerns to Mr. Pochapsky” regarding the updated ASP.

“I'm very concerned about the number of quarters there,” he said. “It is very difficult to have such restrictions on such a large part of our farm and other farms in the same area.

“I think it would be good to consider that because this is our livelihood and this is our future.”

He said his concerns are that no new limited feeding operations will be supported by the updated ASP.

Several other landowners also opposed the new ASP.

The Council deferred Law No. 07/24 in the second reading to the Council meeting on May 8.

The full proposed ASP can be viewed on the county's website.