It's a proposal that would see a major development in the Moose Jaw River Valley.

Monday night at City Council, Alberta based architect Alvin Fritz, owner of Alvin Rienhard Fritz Architect Inc, and local businessman Charles Vanden Broek proposed building a new residential subdivision, River Point Park, along 7th Avenue Southwest, north of the Moose Jaw River in the River Valley.

The subdivision would include 29 single-family units and 81 multi-family units.

Voting passed 5-2 to take the proposal to community consultation, with Heather Eby and Brian Swanson voting against.

Councilor Dawn Luhning.

The plot of land for the proposed River Point Park. A larger image can be seen below.

"I want to make sure that the cities interests at the backend with the agreement are looked after and that Wakamow is looked after in a way that it works for everyone. I have no problem with us going to public consultation and going to the next step, I just wish that the cities interests are looked after with the agreement."

One of the major points of contention during the extended conversation was the fact that the area is prone to flooding. Examples were brought up from the past of the area being evacuated by previous residents after flooding took place. Concerns were also raised about the large pieces of ice that can float ashore when an ice jam takes place.

Councilor Heather Eby.

"I did hear from a few people in the area on the weekend, just because I was out there a little bit after this news became public. The people in the area are not feeling comfortable at this point. This is a huge, huge, huge change to the official community plan. I think it's too quick for me, it's too quick for Wakamow, and at this point today I can't support this motion."

All councilors who voted in favor, as well as the Wakamow Valley Authority, expressed the same concern, saying that if the proposal were to pass public consultation, further work and studies would have to be done to ensure that River Point Park would not be in danger of flooding and that work done in the area wouldn't cause floods further down the river.

The Water Security Agency is in the process of updating previous flood data. Friz and Vanden Broek have said they are committed to incorporating the new data into their project when it becomes available. The hydrological assessment also recommended that a more detailed analysis be completed once the updated data is released.

The Provincial Heritage Conservation Branch has not signed off on the project yet and has requested another assessment of the new archaeological site after the development plans are finalized.

Now, a public consultation will take place, and more time will be given to the Wakamow Valley Authority to review the plan. School divisions will also have an opportunity to provide comments.