Editor:
The Jan. 13 council public hearing on a proposed residential development in Peaks of Grassi will be an important turning point for our community.
Neighbourhood opposition to this proposal has been characterized by developer supporters as just NIMBY. I am writing from the Village at Homesteads (not NIMBY) and I oppose the QuantumPlace Developments proposal for many reasons. Rezoning this four acre parcel , which is identified as Urban Reserve, would be a break of faith violating the settlement agreement.
In the 1990s, our council had the foresight to commit to establishing Quarry Lake Park. When Three Sisters wanted to build more than was approved by the NRCB in Peaks of Grassi, our council stood for the community.
Ultimately, a legal settlement agreement was reached between our Town and Three Sisters in 1998 to cap development in the final phase of Peaks of Grassi-Quarry Pines. Three Sisters was able to have the extra land that was not approved by the NRCB zoned as Urban Reserve. The settlement agreement has stood since then to protect Quarry Lake from additional residential encroachment. I thought we had fought this battle and won permanent green space for wildlife and humans.
The Sustainability Screening Process (SSP) identified on the Town’s website requires that a development provide a net benefit and future sustainability to the Town. There does not appear to be any net benefit to this rezoning. Residents should let our council know in writing, and at the public hearing, that this rezoning proposal does not meet our community standards.
Doreen Ronaghan,
Canmore
