Cochrane council on Monday night unanimously voted to hold off for the foreseeable future on approving the neighbourhood plan in the community of Heritage Hills.

Traffic concerns, connectivity issues, as well as building on the escarpment had council concerned about approving the newest proposed development.

In an interesting turn, Councillor Tara McFadden flat out refused the neighbourhood plan though she previously supported the area structure plan of Southbow Landing which would see up to 9,000 additional residents after the full build out.

Councillor McFadden says she feels very differently about the two areas.

"The reasons to move ahead with the Southbow neighbourhood plan are different than this one. In that, with Southbow you are going to have two accesses to connect to the city, people are going to be able to run out and connect to the Trans Canada so they have that access, and what Southbow did differently as well - it brought a major player to the table in helping us to solve the funding issues and access issues to make a second bridge possible."

"In the Heritage Hills plan is there is no offsetting circumstance like that to balance it off."

Councillor Jeff Toews says he was puzzled by the decision of some of his fellow councilors.

"I was a little bit confused why the majority of council approved the Southbow plan and then all of a sudden put the brakes on for the the Heritage Hills plan. To me it didn't make any sense because it is very similar, the traffic issues are the same for the most part the only difference was when we were talking about the slopes and council was very aware of the slope issues."

Toews says based on traffic he understands why the plan would not be supported but as far as slope issues and building on the escarpment, he would like a much more detailed look.

"Listening to everyone around the table there seemed to be a little bit of confusion. I think a further explanation would benefit all of council on why top slope couldn't be found. Or maybe a bit more in depth on the science that was involved in determining that, to see whether that area is developable or not. But we need to have the information before we making a rash decision."

McFadden says because escarpment issues make up 50% of the plan, the concern is significant. Ever since McFadden came to Cochrane she says she has been concerned with building on escarpments.

"The issue of the day is we have slopes with houses on them that are falling down and it's terrible. It's people's homes that are slipping away and it's their biggest life investment. It is irresponsible to move ahead with that. To move ahead with this runs in contradict of the municipal development plan."

McFadden says it is an complex issue but looking at the past track record Cochrane needs to be cautious.

"I think in the Cochrane context we need to be very cautious about where we allow any development on our slopes. And if that limits how many houses a developer can build on that property than that is what needs to be done."

As far as traffic concerns, which will keep this development and others stalled for the time being, Toews comments that they need to be careful as to what message they are sending land developers.

"There is a risk in this. If we stop every development waiting on the Provincial government we are all of a sudden going to be completely halting growth which means peoples tax dollars will start going up to support our infrastructure. And we can't stop growth in Rocky View, and at the same time Rocky View will continue to expand which will continue to put more congestion in Cochrane without the ability to deal with it."

Toews says right now Cochrane is at the mercy of the Provincial government, awaiting a decision as to what will be done to improve not only traffic on Highway 1A and the 22, but also James Walker Trail.

A decision is expected to be heard by the end of December, but Toews points out that if no concrete plan is put in place, it's time for the Town of Cochrane to step up their game.

Marni Fedeyko - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com