Neighbourhood Plan & Land Use Redesignation

Welcome to Walker’s reach

Welcome to Walker’s Reach

On behalf of Madlee Developments Ltd, B&A has submitted planning applications for Walker’s Reach – a vibrant new neighbourhood planned for the current Heidelberg gravel extraction site, marking an exciting new chapter for the area.

Thank you for attending the Public Open House held on June 25, 2026.

If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the information boards, click here. Looking to share your feedback? Complete the online feedback form by July 10.

ABOUT WALKER’S REACH

Walker’s Reach is located on the southeast side of the Town of Cochrane. The site’s northern peninsula is bordered by the Bow River, with views of the river valley and looking onto Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. Walker’s Reach draws its name from Cochrane’s rich ranching history, its natural surroundings and its proximity to James Walker Trail. James Walker was a prominent figure in the town’s ranching community. The word “reach” describes both a stretch of river and, in sailing days, the distance one could travel in a day. Together, they tell the story of a community rooted in heritage and shaped by the river’s edge.

Land Use Applications

To reflect the changing use of the site, new planning applications are required to shape the future neighbourhood:

Walker’s Reach is currently within the Southridge Area Structure Plan (ASP), a 1994 document guiding land use, parks, open space and transportation at the community scale. To align with more current plans – including Envision Cochrane 2050 (2025), Cochrane Sustainability Plan (2009), and Open Space Master Plan (2012) – the Town of Cochrane requested that Walker’s Reach be included in the adjacent River Heights ASP, rather than amending the Southridge ASP. Proposed amendments were brought forward in April 2024 for the River Heights ASP to update the maps and include the future Walker’s Reach neighbourhood in the policies.

Further revisions to these applications were submitted to the Town in October 2025. Policies from the Southridge ASP about scenic vistas, maintaining natural areas, and wildlife movement within the Bow Valley have been included in the revisions to the River Heights ASP.

Walker’s Reach Neighbourhood Plan 1 is the first Neighourhood Plan (NP) that will be submitted to the Town of Cochrane to facilitate the development of the new community.

The plan area is currently zoned Special Industrial (IS) to support the aggregate extraction. Proposed land uses throughout the plan area include Residential- Low Density District, Residential- Medium Density District (R-MD), and Parks (PR).  The proposed land uses can be viewed in the Concept Plan below.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you may have questions. Our FAQs are here to provide clarity about the project and land use process.

Madlee Development will construct the project in phases, starting in the south and moving north, subject to Neighbourhood Plan (NP) approval(s) and gravel site decommissioning. This application addresses the first phase; future NP applications will address subsequent phases in the northern portion of the peninsula.

The Town of Cochrane have reached Stage 3 of the project’s extension to connect with the Southbow development which will link to Highway 22. The road will provide connection access to Walker’s Reach and the neighbouring Qualico development, Southbow Landing. The Town expects to complete Stage 3 in 2026.

To learn more and how this project benefits the Cochrane community, visit the Town’s webpage.

Walker’s Reach is planning to develop a mix of housing types, which will include single detached (aka single-family), semi-detached homes, and multi-family low-profile bungalows.

 

All areas adjacent to the Bow River will remain natural and will be designated as Environmental Reserve. The river valley will continue to serve as an important wildlife corridor and this natural area will continue to allow for the safe movement of wildlife. Additionally, a Biophysical Impact Assessment (BIA) was completed for areas that had experienced minimal disturbance from the gravel operations.

 

Stormwater will drain from west to east towards the Bow River. The Walker’s Reach system and ponds will connect to the Southbow Landing pong on the lower bench lands. A single outfall into the Bow River is proposed.

You can reach out to our Engagement Specialist, Leah Thomson at lthomson@bastudios.ca .

Next Steps

Land use planning is an iterative process. In Spring of 2025, the Town provided its comments on the 2024 ASP and NP applications. The project team has been working to address the comments received on the application. The following are the next steps in the planning process:

  • Resubmit the River Heights Area Structure Plan (October 2025)

  • Resubmit Walker’s Reach Neighbourhood Plan (December 2025)

  • A public engagement to share information on the ASP & NP (June 2026)

  • The River Heights ASP, Walker’s Reach NP will be presented at the Committee of the Whole (anticipated Q3 2026)

  • The River Heights ASP, Walker’s Reach NP will go to Public Hearing (anticipated Q3 – 2026)

April 2024

River Heights ASP submitted.

Summer 2024

Town requests boundary change to the ASP.

July 2024

Walker’s Reach NP submitted.

March 2025

NP is resubmitted.

June 2025

Town comments on the ASP and preliminary
comments on the NP.

Fall 2025

The ASP is resubmitted.

December 2025

The NP is resubmitted.

June 2026

The NP is resubmitted and Public Engagement.

Public Engagement

On June 25, 2026, Madlee Developments and B&A (land planning consultants) hosted a Public Open House at St. Mary’s Church. We welcome you to submit your feedback on the proposed Neighbourhood Plan. Share your thoughts by June 10, 2026.

Information Boards

Click to view the information boards

Feedback Form

Click to complete the feedback form

Contact Us

Please reach out to our Engagement Specialist, Leah Thomson at lthomson@bastudios.ca if you have any questions or comments regarding the land use applications: Use the form below to sign up for email updates about upcoming engagement opportunities and project milestones.