A 300-lot residential subdivision proposed east of Bowden failed to clear first reading on Tuesday after Red Deer County councillors predicted conflicts with neighbouring farm operations.

There are three intensive livestock operations near the Davey Lake housing site, said Councillor George Gehrke, who was one of three councillors to reject first reading of an application to rezone 315 acres of agricultural land to allow for a multi-lot development.

“You can’t have high-density residential bordering intensive livestock operations.

“I think that is just a misdirection on our part,” Gehrke said.

Councillor Reimar Poth said he would vote against first reading with “mixed feelings” because approval at that stage is normal to allow the issue to go to a public hearing before second and third readings are considered.

But in this case, he could not see the logic of putting intensive residential developments so close to large farm operations.

“It goes against what we should be doing.”

County planning staff noted that there is a feedlot, hog operation and dairy near the area proposed for residential development. A second hog operation is awaiting Natural Resources Conservation Board approval.

Councillor Jim Wood said the primary purpose of the county is agriculture and preserving the right to farm and he was concerned with the restrictions a farmer planning a new hog operation would face in trying to locate his business with a major housing development nearby.

“I also recognize the need for our county to grow.

“I’m debating whether even to vote on this one for first reading.”

In the end, first reading was defeated on a tie vote with Mayor Earl Kinsella and Councillors Poth and Gehrke opposed. Councillor David Hoar, whose family owns land next to the proposed development, excused himself from all debate and voting because of the potential conflict of interest.

Davey Lake Developments president Christopher Baradoy said they have been working closely with county planners, who recommended first reading be granted, and will continue discussing their options.

The proposed subdivision wraps halfway around one side of Davey Lake and would include up to 300 homes built in phases on land owned by Joyce and Allan Sparks. Walking trails, green spaces and observation spots were to be built and the lake would have been cleaned up and could be used for non-powered boating.

Contact Paul Cowley at pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com