Editor:
Re: Residents petition against Peaks of Grassi development (Oct. 23).
To add to what Tanya Foubert stated in her article about Peaks residents’ opposition to the rezoning, I offer the following additional points:
The subject parcels of land are zoned UR district (urban reserve district). The definition of UR in the Land Use Bylaw of the Town is:
UR Urban Reserve District
2.61.1 Purpose
To protect land that is potentially suited for urban uses from premature subdivision and development. Lands located within this district have received preliminary screening only and may require environmental, geotechnical and other screening to determine their potential suitability for any development. The further intent of the district is to provide for a limited range of rural pursuits and recreational uses that utilize large areas of land.
2.61.2 Permitted Uses
Public Utilities
2.61.3 Discretionary Uses
Campgrounds
Cemeteries
Cultural establishments
Extensive agricultural pursuits
Intensive agricultural pursuits
Kennels
Outdoor athletic/recreational activities
Parks and playgrounds
Public and quasi-public buildings and uses
Signs
During the Sept. 29 public hearing of bylaw 2014-014- Stewart Creek Residential a developer appealed to council to provide certainty to builders, designers and developers for future developments when approving this bylaw.
Home buyers also need certainty when making their buying decisions. The character of Canmore neighbourhoods should not be allowed to change after almost 20 years of existence. If this UR is rezoned, other green spaces throughout other Canmore neighbourhoods may also be rezoned.
Homeowners throughout Canmore’s neighborhoods need to be able to trust the Town’s municipal development plan and the land use bylaws. When residents make their home buying decisions they should have confidence that things will not change at some point in the future.
Canmore residents can follow pertinent information on this issue at the Three Sisters for wildlife website, please like the Facebook page. www.facebook.com/ThreeSistersForWildlife.
If you care about our green spaces and do not want the integrity of Quarry Lake compromised, please go online and sign the petition, referred to in Ms. Foubert’s article at www.change.org/p/concerned-residents-of-canmore-banff-bow-valley-sign-the-petition-in-support-of-the-letter-from-concerned-residents-to-canmore-town-council.
The online petition can also be found within the Three Sisters for Wildlife website.
We trust that council will give very careful thought before any rezoning changes are considered
Pierre Lambert,
Canmore Quarry Lake Neighbour
