A proposed community association in Canmore wants the municipality to slow down its process when it comes to redeveloping the old daycare lands.
In a letter submitted to council and administration Wednesday night (June 18) during a public input session exploring possible redevelopment scenarios for the municipal reserve land, the group’s steering committee asked for time to officially form an association and present alternate solutions to Canmore’s housing issues.
The letter states that after two meetings of concerned citizens this month there is a significant desire to be part of the process and develop solutions for the various issues facing the town.
“Give us time to form an association, for us to seek guidance from our embedded experts and externally, instruct administration to consult with us and allow us the time to prepare a proposal for council to consider,” states the letter. “We assure the town council we are not intending upon being obstructive. We live in this town and know all the issues facing it. We wish to propose holistic and integrated solutions to not just a cash flow issue or a perpetually affordable housing issue, but an integrated solution based upon the needs of this community as well as answers that are readily apparent and tested in other communities.”
Canmore council unanimously approved moving ahead with identifying redevelopment options for the site at the beginning of June.
Mayor and councillors pointed to the need for affordable housing in the community and revenue to pay for long-term mitigation of mountain creeks as reasons for the decision to begin consultation in the community to create potential development scenarios.
But the vote wasn’t without resistance from neighbouring residents of the land at 1200 17th St. Many residents at the meeting were upset that this is the third time development has been proposed on the lot and the third time they have objected to it.
Administration recommended the site out of all municipally owned land as it has the most revenue potential, is already serviced and can include affordable housing options.
