Paskapoo Slopes development plan shown at open house

The city hosted the first of two open houses on Wednesday night to show Calgarians a revised plan for development of the East Paskapoo Slopes.

The developer,Trinity Hills, is asking the city to rezone and create a new area structure plan for 105 hectares of undeveloped land east of Canada Olympic Park (COP) and south of the Trans-Canada Highway between Sarcee Trail andBowfort Road northwest.

The companyplans to build an urban-village style neighbourhood with a mix of housing types, a town centre with boutiques and offices and an entertainment district with a hotel and theatres.

But Trinity Hills says its new master plan will see two thirds of the land the upper slopes preserved as a new regional park.

Following a number of environmental studies, Trinity Hills decided to forgo the higher-density shopping-based development proposed previously, and instead is proposing a forward-thinking master plan, Trinity Hills says on its website.

Plans to build on the land have long been opposed by many area residents.

Laurie Quon, a member of the group Save the Slopes, says thenew proposal is nice but it's in the wrong spot.

It's 260 acres of pristine inner-city wilderness that well never get back, she said.

Theres archaeological sites at the base that date back anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 years.

The land is currently owned by Trinity, Winsport and the city. Trinity has reached an agreement to buy the portion owned by Winsport, with transfer of title by July, according to the city.

The city is still negotiating with the developer on a number of issues such astransportation impacts, specific development boundaries and building design and height before the developers plans go before the planning commission, said senior city planner David Couroux.

The next open house is set for April 1 at the Calgary French and International School at 700 77th Street S.W. from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.