For years, people who live along the north side of 44 Avenue east of 216 Street have enjoyed an element of peace and privacy not often found in an urban setting.

Their homes are on the urban edge of Murrayville, looking out onto Agricultural Land Reserve properties dense with tall evergreens, habitat for coyotes, deer and other wildlife.

That may all change if Township council approves a rezoning application and amendment to the Rural Plan, a hearing for which was held on Monday.

If approved, the rezoning of 11.02 acres at 4386 - 216 St., and 21696 and 21848 - 44 Ave. will permit the building of 21 houses on a long, narrow strip on the south side of 44 Avenue.

Noting that the lots will be almost twice the size of others in the neighbourhood, local resident Herb Cowan told council that he hoped no 鈥渕onster houses鈥� would be allowed 鈥� homes that occupy most of a lot鈥檚 square footage.

Cowan added that not more than one family should be allowed per house.

Neighbour Keith Inman told council that some of the many mature trees on the property have already been removed, and he asked whether the new houses would have basements. He advised council that when he built his house 17 years ago, he was not allowed to have one.

Head planner Ramin Seifi said that there are no restrictions on basements.

Tree retention and replacement plans spelled out in council鈥檚 documents show that the applicant proposes to retain 104 鈥渟ignificant鈥� trees within a 15 metre wide landscape buffer.

The land is within the Agricultural Land Reserve; the Land Commission rejected an application to remove the property from the reserve, but allowed subdivision within it.

The ALC concluded in March, 2010 that the land 鈥渉as agricultural capability鈥� and is appropriately designated in the ALR. But it also ruled that the property is 鈥渘ot very suitable for agricultural use.鈥�

The applicant is Alan Hendricks, who owns one of the parcels.

Council will consider third reading of the bylaws at its July 11 meeting.