The River Valley and Ravine Trail System Negotiations with Centennial Valley Properties

Recommendation:
That the December 311, 2003, Community Services Department report 2004CSP002, be received for information.

Report Summary

This report provides information on the river valley and ravine trail system negotiations with Centennial Valley Properties Inc. and information outlining plans to extend the river valley trail system in south-west Edmonton.

Previous Council/Committee Action

  • At the November 17, 2003, Community Services Committee meeting, the following motion was passed:
  1. That Administration report back to Community Services Committee on the status of negotiations with Centennial Valley Properties.
  2. That Administration provide options for continuation of the river valley and ravine trail system in southwest Edmonton in the absence of an agreement with Centennial Valley Properties.
  • At the September 17, 2002, City Council meeting, the following motion was passed:

That the Administration be authorized to commence negotiations for the purchase of river valley lands from Centennial Valley Properties Inc. those lands being as identified in Attachment 1 of the August 2, 2002, Community Services Department report.

Report

  • Negotiations for the City purchase of river valley lands from Centennial Valley Properties Inc. (Centennial Valley) were initiated after Council approval on September 17, 2002. In March 2003 negotiations were halted, as agreement on the value of these lands could not be reached.
  • However, aside from the land purchase negotiations, numerous meetings and other negotiations between the City and owner have occurred since March 2003. These meetings were held to review the developer’s proposal for the residential development of the uplands. Through these subdivision negotiations, In these discussions the City has made known its the City’s intention has been to acquire river valley lands for park purposes and to provide for public access to the river valley lands. Since the decision to terminate negotiations the following has occurred:These negotiations have resulted in:

-On May 22, 2003, City Council approved Bylaw 13368 allowing for re-districting of the upland portions of Centennial Valley’s lands for residential development. City Council also approved a motion that the Top-of-Bank Roadway Policy shall not apply to subdivisions in the area rezoned by Bylaw 13368, and that there will be road access to the top-of-bank and a top-of-bank walkway in the area rezoned by Bylaw 13368.

-On September 4, 2003, a subdivision application from Centennial Valleymade application was approved for subdivision of the adjacent Edmonton Golf and Country Club lands. As a condition of subdivision approval the City has required that a conservation easement be placed on golf course lands in the river valley. Municipal reserves were to be deferred into the upland golf course lands. No river valley lands were to be acquired by the City through this process.

-On August 25, 2003, Centennial Valley made subdivision applications for the remaining uplands. The subdivision application is scheduled for review on January 228, 2004.

  • In the absence of an agreement for the purchase of river valley lands from Centennial Valley, the options for continuation of the river valley and ravine trail system in southwest Edmonton are as follows, albeit somewhat limited. The City’s interest in continuous river valley based trails is provided for in the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System “Ribbon of Green” Concept and Master Plans (1990 and 1992). More current trail plans are found in the River Valley Alliance’s vision for the capital region’s river valley.

-For the north side section of the river valley from the Quesnell Bridge to the Centennial Valley lands, multi-use (paved) river valley trails development opportunities are very limited. Most of the City-owned lands in this area are subject to flooding, steeply sloped, heavily treed and unstable. Granular and earth packed trails are possible in these areas, however further study is needed prior to development of concept plans for these lands.

-For the north side section of the river valley from the west end of the Edmonton Golf and Country Club to the Wedgwood Ravine similar environmental conditions severely limit the City’s ability to extend the multi-use paved trails system.

-In the Wedgewood Ravine a multi-use granular trail system could be developed once the City has acquired the remaining private properties. This trail would connect west Edmonton neighbourhoods to the river valley at the proposed location of a river footbridge to Terwillegar Park.

-For the north side of the river from Wedgewood Ravine to Anthony Henday Drive, some private lands remain. However, the majority of the river terrace is owned by EPCOR. Negotiations are required with EPCOR to discuss options for public trail access in this area.

-For the south side of the river, city-owned lands are available for trails development from the Quesnell Bridge to Anthony Henday Drive. Linkages to the north side of the river cannot proceed (Terwillegar Park and Fort Edmonton Park footbridges) until lands have been acquired from Centennial Valley Properties Inc. Without these linkages, trails users must leave the river valley and travel through the neighbourhoods of Riverbend before they can again travel in the river valley. This is contrary to the Ribbon of GreenPrinciple of “continuous river valley trails”.

-Lands south and west of Anthony Henday Drive, on both the north side and south side of the river are mostly private. Land acquisition, top-of-bank roads, or right of way agreements will be required to maximize public access to the river valley and preserve top-of-bank areas for views and open space.

  • It is the opinion of Community Services Department that trail development options, and enhanced access to the river valley, is limited from the Quesnell Bridge to Wedgewood Ravine. Future parkland in appropriate locations is needed to ensure adequate public access.
  • The options available to the City to acquire the Centennial Valley lands, among others include: subdivision, future negotiations, arbitration or expropriation. These last two options are not recommended at this time as pursuing either would effectively take away the power vested in City Council to determine if a property could be rezoned or not. The power is, as a result, placed in the hands of an Arbitrator or the Land Compensation Board. This zoning issue goes directly to the heart of the difference in the estimated market value between Centennial Valley and the City.
  • Conservation easements provide another mechanism, however, these types of agreements can be restrictive with respect to public access.

Background Information Attached

  1. Centennial Valley Lands – Rough Outline

Others Approving this Report

  • W. D. Burn, General Manager, Asset Management and Public Works Department
  • L. Benowski, General Manager, Planning and Development Department

(Page 1 of 333)

Attachment 1

Centennial Valley Lands – Rough Outline


Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 1