Advertisement 1

Cochrane North wins approvals to begin development on new community

Article content

A community that will have about 425 homes and a design focused on green space will take shape on land that’s said to be about a two-minute drive north of Cochrane and 20 minutes from Calgary.

Cochrane North, a planned 128-hectare (316-acre) community, received the necessary approvals by Rocky View County to move ahead on development last month. Also the name of the area development plan, Cochrane North, will likely be renamed at a later time.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

This land can be accessed by heading north on Highway 22.

Article content

“It has been a pleasure working with Rocky View County and the Town of Cochrane throughout the Cochrane North approval process,” says Asad Niazi, Canopy Lands president. “We’re excited to see this project come to fruition. Canopy has a long-term interest in the positive growth of the Calgary Region, and we look forward to working collaboratively with local communities in the future.”

The community — for which the planning process began two years ago — was managed by Canopy Lands, which is a consolidated development and management division of Schickedanz West and Tulum Developments and Management Corp.

“I am ecstatic about the Canopy Lands launch,” Niazi says. “This organization and its partners have prominent roots, and a successful track record that dates back to 1951. We’re looking forward to working closely with real estate owners and the community to reinvigorate projects and turn underutilized land and properties into profitable ventures.”

About 325 of the homes in the Cochrane North community are earmarked for single-family homes with a triple-car garage on lots ranging from 50 to 65 feet wide. There will also be about 100 semi-detached bungalow-style villas with a double-car attached garage on lots that measure 40 feet wide.

Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

A builder group for the community has not yet been determined.

Niazi says he expects the villas will be a draw for the empty-nester demographic, while the triple-car, single-family homes should catch the eye of active families.

“You’re close to the mountains,” he adds. “People who have RVs, snowmobiles and those sorts of things need space in the garage. That will be the market that we’re attracting.”

For Cochrane North, the developer will be spending the balance of the year working on utility servicing, and a plan for the best time to bring the community to market. Niazi expects lot sales to be available in late 2019 or 2020.

While prices have not been formalized, Niazi says they’ll likely range from between $600,000 and $800,000.

A meaningful connection to the outdoors is a focus in the community plan, says Niazi.

“Our vision from the start is that this will be an urban community where people are close to nature,” he adds.

“There are a few wetlands in the area that we are protecting, there will be pathways around those wetlands where people can walk and bike.”

Residents will also have a direct connection to Cochrane Lake, which sits just south of the planned community.

Every lot will back onto green space, and the majority will have views of the Rocky Mountains and Cochrane Lake, something Niazi calls “pretty unique.”

The community’s low-density design should also make it a draw, says Niazi. It’s slated for 1.35 units per acre.

“That means more than 70 per cent open space,” he adds.

The community will also feature a community centre, the developer dubs the community barn, which is expected to measure between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet.

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers