May 26, 2014 To: Community of Walden Residents From: Pacific Investments & Re: Walden Bottle Depot, May14th Open House Follow-up Dear Sir/Madame: Thank you for attending our Open House on May 14th at the Lake Chaparral Community Association. There was a lot of good discussion and debate surrounding the proposed bottle depot for the Community of Walden. All those in attendance were also given the opportunity to provide written comments, questions and concerns of which we have summarized below as well as provided our response: 1.) Do you plan to build something nice? The conceptual drawings for the depot were on display and the exterior structure will meet all architectural controls for the community and in our opinion will be a very handsome building. The same architect, who designed the award winning Medical Building on the corner of 194th Ave. & Chaparral Blvd., will also be designing this building. Also note that the bottle depot will be located at the back end of the targeted 2.1 acre land parcel and as such will also be visually blocked by the other commercial buildings planned for the site. View of the exterior of the building (con t next page)
Walden Bottle Depot, May14th Open House Follow-up Page 2 The interior of the depot will also be state-of-the-art, with point of sales (POS) systems, and designed in such a way that the front and back-end operations will be totally separate, thus reducing noise and smell for customers. View of the interior of the building 2). Is there a risk analysis done on the impact of a bottle depot to a community? It was not clear the type of risk that this question is referring to, but much to the contrary, we believe that there is no risk associated with this business. Rather, it will provide a much needed service and is good for the environment. 3). Will the developer request the City to lower property taxes in the area? No. 4). I do not want to attract unwanted elements to the community? Homeless people are often seen in the inner city pushing shopping carts full of bottles and cans which they return for refund at the inner city bottle depot(s). People such as this do not take the C-train or other forms of public transit to outlying residential communities to collect bottles utilize the depot in the area. However, if in fact there are unwanted elements frequenting a bottle depot the owner/operator has the right not to serve them and remove them from their property.
Walden Bottle Depot, May14th Open House Follow-up Page 3 5). Which way will the wind be blowing? Prevailing winds in Calgary blow from Northwest to Southeast. The bottle depot will be located at the back of the 2.1 acre site and will be sheltered by the back berm, as well as the entrance & exit will be on the South & West ends of the building. The beverage containers that are returned to the depot are always stored within the building and as such winds cannot blow any smell around. We do own & operate two other bottle depots in the City of Calgary and adverse odors outside the depot are not a complaint we hear. 6). Who else can we complain to? The site plan with the prevailing wind The City of Calgary, or your Ward councillor. PREVAILING WIND 7). What are the main commercial businesses proposed on this site? There are no other additional specific business planned for the site at the time, however with the zoning other businesses could include things such as: offices, convenience store, print shop, fitness centre, other retail, etc. BFI LANDFILL SITE The retail/ commercial building, facing Walden Boulevard, which obscures the bottle depot from being seen from the street
GENSTAR BFI CANADA Pacific Investments & Walden Bottle Depot, May14th Open House Follow-up Page 4 8). How can this be planned without input of the Walden Community? The subject land is already zoned for industrial/commercial type businesses. CHAPARRAL S-SPR M-1d75 DC 78D2008 194 AVE SE Walden Square Walden View PUL S-CRI Walden Stage 1B LOC2007-0059 ER S-UN Walden Square 300m permanent landfill setback I-B f0.5 (Transit Route) 2x7m/27m Local Major Walden Boulevard LAND USE REDESIGNATION BOUNDARY I-B 0.97HA / 2.40AC SOUTHVIEW ALLIANCE CHURCH DC(S-CI) 46D2013 LOC2013-0095 CLOSED BFI LANDFILL SITE The current Zoning is Industrial Business (I-B)
Walden Bottle Depot, May14th Open House Follow-up Page 5 9). I am against this project because of the increased traffic and noise. Walden Boulevard is the primary feeder arterial for the communities of Walden, Chaparral, and Legacy. The Bottle Depot hours of operations will between 8:30am 6:00pm and as such will not contribute to the traffic congestion and noise during peak high travel times. The current Zoning is Industrial Business (I-B) I trust that the above adequately answers the questions and concerns that were documented at the May 14th Open House. I once again thank you for attending and look forward to more constructive dialogue on this project. Sincerely, Dennis J. Doherty President Pacific Investments &