The Municipal District of Rocky View has approved plans for a new community east of Calgary, with the developer planning to break ground by this time next year.

It’s an indication the development industry has faith in the economy, says Jim Kuz, general manager of Buffalo Hills Developments.

“The market may not be where those of us in the industry would want it, but we’re confident where the market is and it’s better than six months ago,” says Kuz.

Buffalo Hills will be built at the intersection of Hwy. 1 and Rainbow Road.

“The intersection forms the southeast corner of a three section property,” says Kuz, adding future residents will have an easy trip into Calgary. “It is only five kilometres east of the city and there are only three sets of (traffic) lights between us and the Deerfoot.”

Plans for homes in Buffalo Hills are being worked on and home builders will have a say in the final look.

“We have a preliminary architectural report from the design company and it is preliminary because of the partnership approach we will have with our builders,” says Kuz. “We are currently having a dialogue with builders to put our group together, and at this point, all that we have spoken with on page one are Calgary based.”

Buffalo Hills will be developed in phases featuring single family, multi-family, institutional, retail and commercial services.

The phase one approval includes single-family quarteracre lots, a school site, as well as recreational facilities for regional use.

“Phase one has 142 lots and 131 of them are, on average, a quarter acre in size, averaging about 63 by 172 feet,” says Kuz. “They are very generous-sized lots and we want to transition to our neighbouring community to the north to half-acre lots. We expect densities will increase as we move through the various phases and the MD has made that a general direction.”

A price range for homes has not yet been established.

“It’s a bit early in the process. There will be some fairly nice homes there, so we’re waiting to see,” says Kuz. “We are hopeful of having permits to committed builders in the second quarter of next year and the ideal scenario would be to have the first phase showhome parade open by this time next year.

“We are extremely happy about the approval. It’s been a long process but now we can continue to move forward

with the next steps in the development process. We believe we have something different; a complete community and a way of life people cannot get inside the city limits.”

For more information, visit www.buffalohills.ca