Editor: The re-zoning application called Peaks Landing refers to the four acres of Urban Reserve (UR) land subject to the re-zoning application as vacant land. Do not be concerned, despite the name; a boat launch pad into Quarry Lake is not part of the application.
The planning and development department also refers to this UR land as vacant land. The financial free dictionary defines vacant land as “Land with no houses, offices or other permanent structures.” It also defines “raw land” as “Land with no improvements, no infrastructure, and no grading or site development.”
The UR in the Peaks has no infrastructure or permanent structures, but the definition of raw land seems to be a better description for it, than vacant land.
The UR is treed, natural, undisturbed green land. In my mind, vacant denotes a disturbed unnatural lot. When the original owners bought their lots from Three Sisters, the map given to them indicated the three UR lots were: natural area and green space. The development approved by Council included these green natural lands.
This UR is used by humans and by wildlife. Humans recreate in the area: walk through it to access Quarry Lake, the adjacent trails under the power lines and to show their children and grandchildren the wonders of our outcrop mountain. Wildlife that come into the Quarry Pines sub-division of the Peaks use the UR as an escape route from the neighbourhood.
In Canmore, we are not at the built-out level. TSMV, Spring Creek and Silvertip have lots of land that can be developed. New development should happened in those areas, rather than in established neighbourhoods that have been built out for years.
The public hearing for this Peaks rezoning application will take place on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. Go to it to have your voice heard.
Follow events on this re-zoning and if you are opposed to having this green land re-zoned, sign the online petition on Three Sisters FOR Wildlife Facebook Page.
Frank Adamek,
Canmore
