Elsewhere in this issue of the Nouvelle you can read about the proposed East Gate area structure plan, a document that offers a fairly clear vision for the future of the northeast section of our growing community.
The plan, created for local developer Envision Ventures Inc., does indeed envision.
It contemplates a 42-acre shopping centre parcel on the southwest side of Highway 28, just up from the Best Western hotel and Tim Hortons.
The plan also calls for higher-than-normal-for-Bonnyville-density housing development that could eventually make room for more than 2,500 residents.
What the plan lacks is room for large single-family lots — and we think that's a good idea, especially given what's already available in Bonnyville. You, however, don't have to agree with us. You can instead favour lower density development in the northeast.
What's important is that residents take a little time to read up on East Gate, and look at its implications before figuring out how to offer their politicians advice on the plan.
We — town and MD residents — should look at what the plan might mean to our downtown and the community in general, then pass along what we think to our civic leaders.
Public feedback may or may not be wanted by some elected officials, but it's a valuable part of making the system work, and we should do our part to contribute. By doing so, we also give developers guidance that can ultimately produce a better community.
