Pump house demolition and airport construction….
SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
As part of its redevelopment through the Build Bassano project the town has been rezoning and preparing land for housing and commercial use.
Last month the water pump house was demolished on 5A Avenue and construction started on the additional hangars at the Bassano Airport.
The intention for the land at the pump house was R2 (residential) but the foundation cannot be removed so a Land Use amendment will be proposed for direct control.
Bassano CAO Amanda Davis told council that the structure’s basement which is about four feet below the surface, will remain in place due to a water issue.
“We’ve been pumping it for a couple of weeks. It’s best just to leave that foundation in and compact from there,” she said.
Instead of residential home construction other types of housing without footings will be permitted.
“The R2 plan we had over there is not going to work,” Davis said.
With the zoning change council will be able to consider unique projects such as tiny homes.
“We would just be encouraging slab-on grade or other unique projects. We didn’t anticipate that would be the spot to do it but it is now.”
The airport construction project is also underway. That will see additional hangars, taxiways and roadways.
Earlier this year the county, which is the landowner, approved an amendment to redesignate the land from business – rural district and special parks and public service to direct control.
In 2023 Bassano approved the subdivision to create lots and re-configure existing lots to allow for development-ready parcels.
The uses are to remain compatible with the airport.
An adjacent landowner, who opposed the development, stated she and her family will be affected by an increase in noise and lower property values. She suggested that scheduling times when pilots can operate could help reduce the nuisance factor.
She also requested that rules be established regarding the placement and colour of storage containers on the property.
The county proposed an amendment to allow only shipping containers in good repair and painted to ensure consistency and compatibility with nearby buildings.
Bassano’s 2025 budget includes the completion of the 2024 Build Bassano Project including a large lot subdivision south of the tracks, lots on 5A Avenue and the airport at the cost of $1.114 million.