Fairmont development sparks traffic congestion concerns
City says collector road designed for more traffic
Some residents living near Fairmont Boulevard South are concerned new apartment developments in the area are going to mean a large increase in the amount of traffic to the area.
Marlene Wylychenko lives in the area, and said many of the residents of the Village Green Condo Complex are concerned about the traffic volumes expected from the development of two fourstorey apartment blocks in the area.
To compound the issue, the entrance/exit for the apartments is metres away from the entrance to their own condo complex, as well as another nearby building.
She said with another development farther down the road, the number of vehicles in the area has increased dramatically.
“We’ve already noticed quite an increase in traffic,” she said. “The concern we have is this is really going to clog up Fairmont.”
Wylychenko said inquiries were made when the land was first being cleared for development. But due to the zoning in the area, these types of developments are permitted.
Wylychenko acknowledged the City is working within their established regulations, as far as she can see.
Maureen Gaehring, manager for Planning Services with the City, was able to provide information on the development, citing the land in question has been vacant for a number of years, and that the City is aware the increased traffic is a change for residents.
Due to Fairmont Boulevard being considered a collector road, and the land having been zoned to allow this type of development for a number of years, it should not be unexpected.
As a collector road, Fairmont Boulevard is designed to accommodate a much larger amount of traffic than it currently does.
The development was approved on June 13 for two apartment buildings totalling 109 units. The parking supply requirement is 217 spaces.
The City also confirmed the development process included area-resident feedback, and at the time, no issues regarding traffic were brought up.
A number of general changes were made, however, based on that feedback:
• Building orientation with a north-south alignment with a purpose of minimizing any privacy concerns of those neighbouring properties to the south (opposite side of Fairmont Blvd);
• Exteriors finished with cement board (hardie board);
• Landscape design that places a number of trees and shrubs within the property frontage along Fairmont Boulevard. Landscape design meets enhanced land-use requirements with respect to landscaping within the parking areas. The landscape design includes an outdoor dog run area for tenants; and
• Inclusion of bicycle storage meeting amended Land Use Bylaw requirements.
The development is well connected providing pedestrian linkage to the future developments to the north and west (dependent on the future development or use), along with linkage to the public pedestrian network along Fairmont Boulevard.
Additionally, the development is on a transit corridor, is close to commercial development, schools and green space.
Finally, the City identified these types of developments as part of a plan to diversify housing to meet the needs of Lethbridge residents.
Once developments are closer to completion, the area could see another access built.
Wylychenko said she realizes there is likely not a lot that can be done this late in the process. But the situation could be used as a reminder for the City to take another look at these types of development issues in the future.
“Maybe, at the very least, they could look at the regulations,” she said.
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