Providence planning begins for farmland in Calgary's deep southwest

The city has started the planning process for new communities south of the Tsuu T'ina Nation that could eventually be home to tens of thousands of Calgarians.

The Providence area structure plan (ASP)will determine where roads will be in future communities, land uses and what other key infrastructure is needed.

Much of the land annexed by Calgary in 1989 is still primarily used for agricultural purposes. It features spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains to the west but panoramic views of much of Calgary can also be seen looking north.

The city actually started this planning process a decade ago but city council stopped in 2007 because ofuncertainty about the future southwest ring road.

The $5-billion freeway is seen as key for the area's development because Providence would only add traffic on congested roads like Macleod Trail and 14th Street S.W.without it.

Jill Sonego, part of the city's planning department, says thering road dealwith the Tsuu T'ina Nation has allowed the city to reboot the planning process.

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"Now we're able to have more certainty around the ring road, which then allows us to plan for Providence all over again, given that now that we know what the transportation infrastructure will look like," said Sonego.

The ASP is projected to be complete by the end of 2015. Sonego said there will be open houses held so the public can have its say on the plan as it progresses.

Tsuu T'inawatching

Peter Manywounds, aspokesman for the Tsuu T'ina Nation,says the chief and council are aware thatcommunities in the 800 hectares (2,000 acre) Providence ASP will see in time up to 40,000 residents living on the reserve's southern boundary.

"We look forward to working with City of Calgary officials with a view to ensuring that such development is mutually advantageous," said Manywounds.

At least one developer is glad the city is pushing ahead with the planning process. Dream Development owns about one-third of the land in the Providence study area. Its holdings are concentrated on the east side of Providence and will front the ring road.

Vice-president Trevor Dickie said the full build-out of Providence communities cannot occur until after the ring road is completed. The freeway will include two interchanges at 146th Avenue and at 162nd Avenue to provide road access to the area.

However, Dickie said some development is possible in two or three years in the northeast corner of Providenceif city hall gives the green light.

"We're looking at bringing on a quarter-section of land in advance of the completion of the ring road. There is servicing capacity with sewer, water and such, and some transportation capacity in place," said Dickie.

Providence is ranked low in the city's growth management plans but thatcan change over timedepending on the city's ability to finance infrastructure costs for new communities.