Horse Hill Area Structure Plan Approved

After two days of attending City Council for the Public Hearing process, our members who attended got to witness the fall of "status quo" for Horse Hill not Horse Hills.

Horse Hill has an Area Structure Plan (ASP)

Nothing in this Community will change for at least 2 - 4 years as all the plan does, is realize areas and neighborhoods that will be identified in the future. It also serves to STOP the unnecessary and unwanted development that has attempted plagued this area since annexation. Things like the Stockyards which took alot of work and resources to avoid will no longer fit into the areas "structure plan." All these inputs will now have to be set into a Neighborhood Structure Plan (NSP).

A brief update to the past two days;

Day 1 - This day started out with some brief rules set out by the Deputy Mayor, Kim Krushell which we were all advised Mayor Mandel would be slightly delayed. We heard from the City Planning that this ASP and it's draft would be "supported" by them and for the many reasons why. One of the main points to support it was because the NE section of Edmonton is now below the ten year mandate in which there is enough serviceable lots to supply the housing demand. They identified with the Horse Hill Energy and Technology park in place to the north of us, Heartland, and the twinning of highway 63 to Fort Mc Murray there will be a need to offer affordable housing for those who wish to locate in Edmonton.

Supporters spoke first - this group consisted of many experts from the design and development industry who gave the insight to the technical information pertaining to process and why things are on the map as they are. These too are the people who worked very close with each of the city departments to attain the locations of amenities. Then it came to NEEA members and supporters, other owners like St. Stephen Cemetery, other smaller developers, Capital Region and so on. Once the supporters were done the non-supporters began - these were comprised mostly of GEA's  Local Foods Team, private citizens not residing in the area and our local North East Agricultural Producers (NEAP). Not all the non supporting speakers were heard from so day two was needed and day one was now over.

Day 2 - Finished up with more pro food experts? eaters more like it, NEEA even got personally attacked and recited from our blog! City Council even heard from one of these that this "status quo development" had no foresight or imagination. It was now time for Council to ask tough questions of their Administration Team. Once through those questions as there was much discussion around this outer ring road which the City has no say over its location, the map indicates only a suggestion from the Province at it's location. This was what the Ag producers were concerned over. If the ASP was approved, they felt it would mark this spot permanently, this was shown not to be the case as in the documentation for the ASP, it clearly indicated in many locations through out this ASP document stating it can and may move. A motion to have this literature clarified was made by Councilor Gibbons, voted on and was passed. Meeting was then voted on to close, accepted and passed. Council then had the opportunity to speak to the bylaw which some took advantage of where Councilor Gibbons expressed some history of the area and explained he had been the representative for this area for many years and understood the dynamics and that he was going to support the bylaw. When all Councilor had had their chance to address the bylaw, they voted on the first reading, passed 10 - 3 with Councilors Iveson, Henderson and Sloan voting against making it pass. The Mayor then asked for second reading, again 10 - 3 with the same three against the bylaw officially passed! The bylaw now goes to the regional board for approval which may take as long as six weeks as we have been told. As the regional board has identified Horse Hill as a growth area, it seems automatic it will be accepted and passed as well.

The process ahead now is; nothing will be changed in the area until an NSP is passed which will most likely be applied for shortly after the capital region passes the ASP. There is no indication where yet, but it has to be done as the planning process will take a while and Edmonton is definitely short in NE Edmonton for development. Before any shovel is in the ground, it will be approx. two years as this is how long it takes to get plans in place and accepted with more public consultation.

The North East Edmonton Alliance is proud to thank those who assisted us from the Development Community to support our wishes, keeping us informed and respecting each of our members with the utmost respect. This gratitude applies to the City of Edmonton, Stantec, Walton, Cameron and Crest Developments.

NEEA is proud to display our working relationships, this is how a Community shares it's desires and dreams.  Our endeavors would have been much easier if our NEAP neighbors would have worked with us instead of  involving a community with little to absolutely no track record within this Community. The "status quo" for Horse Hill had been supported by this Community from 1982 - 2009. At the MDP in 2009 it is this group who made it clear they did not want to work with the community by showing up to the public hearings with the Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) and implementing their agenda and not that of the community as a whole. Due to their creation of this process and distrust, NEEA was formed which consisted of those with insight and imagination to break the "status quo" planning of the past and to pass this ASP. 

For the shot at NEEA during the public hearings by the gentleman opposing this plan about our strong ties and pro development. They offered to work with us, and by no means did they write our presentations, tell us what we wanted and control a community with misrepresentation. You just cant get that without being passionate about our land and community!

Thank you to everyone who assisted throughout this process, ALL NEEA members are excited about the future for Horse Hill.

Support the Horse Hill Area Structure Plan

Tomorrow begins the Public Hearing for the Horse Hill Area Structure Plan (ASP). 

That's right folks...Monday Feb.25, and Tues. Feb 26 will be the days set aside for the Public Hearing. Finally we will get peace in our Community and leave our fellow friends, neighbors and community with a sense of direction by our civic leaders. We will have a vision and know the direction after 32 years and defending of our property rights.

For those North Edmonton Agricultural Producers (NEAP) who hid behind being; "non suspecting and naieve local farmers who didn't know who you were selling your land to"?
Let's explain shall we;

This has been a well-mastered and heavily orchestrated plan for which we as a community have been witness to. The commercial agricultural producers left the sanction of this Community who supported them during and after annexation (1982 - 2004). Because you sold much of your land since 2000 and as recent as Jan. of 2012, this community could no longer support commercial operators views that require Ag land to conduct their business when they became tenants. TOPSOIL, Legacy Lands (NEAP as they are known today) wanted back then to lock up the same land they just sold. We as a Community refused to support those ideas then as today. It would be hypocritical and just wrong from a community standpoint.

We still believe the "Landowner" has Rights 

In the Municipal District Plan (MDP) in 2009, the Horse Hill Community spoke on the support of the City of Edmonton requiring an ASP for each of the last three Urban Growth Areas SE, SW, and NE. When we took part in the process we suddenly learned whom the Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) was! Apparently since 2006 our resident, commercial agricultural producing neighbors had found a NEW community to support their initiatives, GEA. We as a Community had been blind sided! Not a mention, meeting, common or uncommon ground before the MDP.

From that process, research for a Food and Ag strategy was to be required before the ASP in NE only had to be completed. A third land study in 30 years? That process has concluded, interestingly it read much as the previous two, which were conducted in the mid 80's and 1996. Many of the special claims of the NE soils made by NEAP and GEA groups, were not substantiated with scientific studies and documented proof. 

Facts are; it's like the myth of the Sasquatch, it's there right? I was told it's there! Does it have to be proven to believe in it? Experts say it's there but not one skeleton has been found. Called an "Urban Myth." 

For years now, many of these same commercial producers have their business participating in international markets and are conducting their business on "rented" land as they no longer own enough to maintain their present business models. Simply put - without NEEA members land - no more commercial agricultural producer. For those who think the produce is "Organic" far from it. Our members have lost bored water wells due to high levels of recorded  nitrates from water run off due to over concentrated fertilizer applications to gain maximum yields. Trees have been killed or stunted from chemicals being sprayed in windy conditions and topsoil from fields blown off in high winds. In our experience and knowledge of practices, none of these lands in "all" of NE Edmonton would pass organic certification.

Our position is clear and concise. If you Own your land, speak on it's behalf! Do not speak on behalf of your neighbors wishes. We have supported these commercial producers from the beginning by representing their rights in the ASP. If it's green on the map, that's all they own and have the right speak to. For all the land that is not green? We will do the speaking for it! NEEA has the interest of those landowners. NEAP and GEA do not have permission from those landowners to represent their interests! We respected and supported your decision; now in return, respect your neighbors wishes. 

As for GEA and their members, the treatment and tactics displayed by their Local Foods Team will long be not forgotten and unnoticed by this Community. You attacked our members on personal levels; discredit their experience and knowledge for your "common good"?

We question your tactics and integrity?

NEEA urges the land owned by these commercial agricultural producers to be registered and locked up for perpetuity through the Edmonton Area Land Trust (EALT). We would encourage all residents in Edmonton to support these producers in accomplishing this goal by sending emails to the Greater Edmonton Alliance and requesting them to have proof at the Public Hearings that these producers have done this before the ASP. NEEA has asked! EALT to date does not carry their titles to preserve it as ag?

Do it for the "common good" 

Contact them at the listed address  office@greateredmontonalliance.com   suggesting these producers make the commitment before they request for more land they do not have the right to represent.

This is by far the most extensive, time consuming design than others done previously for and in conjunction with the City of Edmonton. This ASP has vision, a balance for ag land, residential, environmental protection, park sites and commercial developments.Our members are excited to make NE Edmonton proud for the foresight it contains and how it will support the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park to the north of our location for generations to come.

NEEA will be in City Council Feb 25 & 26 to participate in the process and witness the undeniable act of others speaking on our rights. We require our civic leaders to show leadership to make this happen. They will be required to listen and make the best decision  for Edmonton and it's surrounding Capital Region.

We participated in far too many studies, plans and developments in the past 32 years

The Capital Region too has NE Edmonton as a "Growth Area"!

NEEA will be encouraging Council show leadership and pass this ASP!

NEEA and the Area Structure Plan

      As we begin to prepare for NEEA's presentation for the Area Structure Plan (ASP), we will continually address the misinformation from GEA and their Local Food Team?  NEEA feels this will be the only way they and North Edmonton Agricultural Producers (NEAP) will get the ill informed support. NEEA will report the truth from within our Community and from the land owners perspective. This information is what GEA does not want you to know.           Our members attended some of the open houses hosted by these two groups which was to be open to all? Continually, our members were silenced during question sessions by not answering questions we crafted to publicly inform those in attendance. Many times we were asked by those in attendance to share our thoughts after the meetings. Those in attendance noticed it was intentional that we were being silenced by the Local Foods Team chair and organizers. Many had never been told there was a lobby group representing the community who did not support the views of these two groups.

      This is the latest by GEA, for all those who attended City Council for the Food and Ag policy, you will have more insight than those who did not and will realize again, they are misleading the public. Much of what is written was proven inaccurate at the public hearings on the City Wide Food and Ag Strategy (CWFAS).

Heads in the Sand, Good Information be Damned:

8 Facts on True Costs of Losing Farmland to Urban Sprawl

Edmonton’s City Council seems poised to approve a plan that preserves virtually none of the prime farmland in Northeast Edmonton before taking a look at good information about the value of Edmonton’s remaining agricultural land.  The proposed Horse Hill Area Structure Plan (ASP), slated for Public Hearing on February 25 and 26, 2013,(1:30 to 9:30 both days) would convert almost all remaining farmland to low density residential and retail development.  Mounting evidence about the true costs of converting farmland to urban sprawl raises serious questions about the wisdom of the proposed Horse Hill ASP. 

Other municipalities have successfully implemented alternate solutions to “business-as-usual sprawl” where regulatory and fiscal policies align to support the creative use of existing spaces in already built areas.  Portland and Vancouver are leaders of the “smart growth” pack.  Our City could choose to embrace such policies, and simultaneously reduce sprawl and preserve farmland.  Instead, the current choice is to not even gather good information to show us the trade-offs between different decisions.

We are aware of skilled consultants the City could engage to use state-of-the-art methodologies, such as Multi-criteria Analysis, Total Cost Assessment, or Full Cost Accounting, to provide comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of the proposed ASP and alternative land use scenarios. City Councilors are requesting information on alternate financial scenarios in controversial decisions like the new arena[1], but have voted down motions to do the same in the case of converting prime farmland to other uses.  The City is aware of these options, but is choosing not to gather this information so necessary to making wise decisions.

Please read the attachment for 8 facts on the true costs of losing farmland to urban sprawl. Let us know if you have any questions or require additional information.

Local Food Team - Greater Edmonton Alliance

www.greateredmontonalliance.com

      The Horse Hill ASP is about to go to Public Hearings, a collaborative effort by not only GEA, North Edmonton Agricultural Producers (NEAP), NEEA members, many City Dept.'s as well as many other stakeholders.
     
       Here are just a few of the facts provided by NEEA and its members at City Council;

During and since annexation (1981);

      The Province of Alberta made it very clear in the annexation order that "All" the annexed land in the City of Edmonton, including that in NE Edmonton will be ultimately used for urban development and will be designated as agriculture as as interim use! 

      The farmland which is designated to be preserved in NE Edmonton is that of which the landowner wants to preserve by their own choice through ownership. To represent any more of that land as agriculture will be against the wishes of the TRUE and RIGHTFUL landowner. 

      Had the NEAP members ( 6 existing farmers who between all of them own approx. 200 ha.) had simply continued to own their land today, rather than selling much of it in early 2000, would have been in control of this land they seek. Today they want to represent their property rights for agriculture ( to date none of the six have preserved in perpetuity through the Edmonton Area Land Trust) but NEAP and GEA wish to control the future of our property rights? 

NEEA has never suggested to have any of the NEAP members lands to be put into housing or development!

NEEA and their members are more than frustrated with the facts and wishes of our property rights being misrepresented and misleading. 
     
1) The above comments, much of the prime farm land in NE Edmonton being used for urban development? It was proven in City Council during the public CWFAS hearings that two previous detailed land studies prior to and including the most recent by HB Lanarc for NE Edmonton, this land is "slightly" better than the other two growth areas in the city.

      2) "Other municipalities have successfully implemented alternate solutions" 
Who? Where? 
       We heard all these general generic terms at the City Wide Food and Ag strategy!  Supply the information and the facts or else it's hearsay.
       This ASP allows those who want to keep their land as agriculture to do so! Notice not to "preserve it" as they still have not?
         
      3) We are aware of skilled consultants the City could engage to use state-of-the-art methodologies, such as Multi-criteria Analysis, Total Cost Assessment, or Full Cost Accounting, to provide comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of the proposed ASP and alternative land use scenarios.
                                                                              ?
      
       NEEA's solution;
Cut the cost to the taxpayer... Don't sell "OWN IT" just like NEEA members! The City of Edmonton already spent $ 750,000.00 to conduct the Food and Agriculture strategy which was driven by NEAP and GEA without the inclusion of our community before at Municipal District Plan (MDP). City Council made the correct informed decision!

       NEEA members, own the same land as NEAP members land, not once had we asked this organization or their supporters to represent it for us! 
       
      We, as the "farmers" since 1981 knew what was going to happen in the long run! Why are these farmers confused? Their land will continue to be farmed (as long as they wish to) as it is today. Their problem is they have sold much of the land they need to continue their commercial business. 
      
     NEEA, as owners of this land will support the ASP,  it is our right to do so. It has been accomplished as a collaborative effort with much of the heritage being incorporated into its design. Farming can continue and neighborhoods will be designed to allow residents who work in all parts of the city as well as the immediate vicinity to the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park to have a place to live and play.