City to continue Horse Hill development, despite farmers fears

City council rejected a plea by the farmers of Riverbend Gardens in the citys northeast to stop development plans for the area until their land is protected.

According to the city-approved plan, a highway willbe built through Riverbend Gardens and its adjacent property, Lady Flower Gardens.

The road would connect to Highway 63, creating a new route between Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan.

The way [the highway is] presently aligned, it would dissect our farm which would make it impossible to farm anymore, said Doug Visser of Riverbend Gardens.

Because the highway is under provincial control, Edmonton city councillors do not have final approval of the route.

However, Visser said if council continues to approve detailed plans for the area, it may become more difficult for the province to adjust.

Riverbend Gardens is a commercial farming operation. Lady Flower Gardens,owned by the same group, provides a space for aboriginal ceremonies, as well as organizations that work with the homeless.

Former Bissell Centre volunteer Sarah Stad said the experience of working in an agricultural environment calms and gives purpose toclients. She said she would hate to see the programs destroyed.

If a road goes straight through the middle of it, its going to severely impact the land and the ability to have that safe space.

A year ago, Coun. Ed Gibbons asked the province to do an engineering study to determine the best place for the road. The results of that study are expected in about 18 months, although Gibbons said the province has not yet started.

On Tuesday, councillors told the farmers they cannot stop development planning in the Horse Hill area, but they will keep an eye on the provinces study.

They said the city will be able to adjust the area plans if the province decides to move the highway off the farmers lands.

Saying yes to the neighbourhood structure plan isnt stopping the province from moving that road, Gibbons said.

Council is expected toget an update on the provinces road study in the summer.