elevated compared to the past ten years. (file photo)
A year-end report on development indicates Cochrane is growing faster than anticipated and the idea of preparing to annex additional land was raised by town councillor Alex Reed.
According to a census completed in May, Cochrane grew by 2,082 people, or 5.6 per cent, and development has remained elevated over the last two years compared to the last decade. The census pegged the population at 37,011, and with more homes constructed has grown further.
In his report to council, Rob Auclair, planning services manager, said 770 new homes were built in 2024, climbing from 510 in 2023. Based on this number, Cochrane has a 12.7 to 14.2-year land supply.
He says the long-term potential is up to 8,700 additional homes which could support a population of 59,600.
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"The biggest takeaway is we still have over a decade's worth of developable land, but that window is shrinking," he says. "Last year, we had 16 years of land supply and this year it's down to 12 to 14 years. If growth continues at this pace, we'll need to be strategic on how we plan."
Contrary to the report's conclusion, Councillor Reed believes there isn't an adequate supply of land to respond to future needs and annexation of further land from Rocky View County should be explored.
"I think we should be doing something about this right now. I think to suggest that we have an adequate supply to respond to future needs is shortsighted.
"I think we should begin negotiations," continued Reed. "If this council doesn't then the next one definitely should be, and we should have an action plan because the status quo isn't good enough and I'm not satisfied with that."
Out of 242 development permit applications in 2024, 40 were for non-residential development, including industrial, changing the uses of existing development, new commercial construction, commercial expansions and home occupations, which is consistent with 2023. In terms of housing, there were 95 applications for accessory suites and 20 applications for multi-unit dwellings, both of which doubled from 2023.
Cochrane has 11 active growth neighborhoods. Currently, Sunset Ridge is the largest growing residential area and Fireside was cited by Auclair as another key growing neighbourhood with more phases currently under construction. Development in Southbow Landing is in its infancy but at full build-out will add 2,900 homes and large commercial and employment spaces.
There are 36 hectares of nonresidential land available for development, nearly half of which is in, Southbow Landing (9.88 ha) and Greystone (6.84 ha).