Editor: In November 2005, Steve Donelon, who retired in 2018 as assistant deputy minister for Alberta Parks and former mayor Glen Craig expressed concern to interested conservation groups about the serious mistake made by locating the Peaks of Grassi district where it now is.
In fairness to past Canmore councils, the location of Peaks of Grassi, south and uphill from Quarry Lake was effectively locked in by the 1992 Natural Resources Conservation Board decision which the Province made pre-eminent over local decision-making.
Unfortunately for wildlife, this was an epic mistake because Peaks has been developed where the wildlife corridor should have been located.
Donelon was quoted in local media reports in 2005 saying the Peaks of Grassi is “the worst ecologically designed community in the Rockies.
“The problem with the Peaks of Grassi is not the community itself. It’s not the design of the community, it’s where it is. It’s been an awkward one because it is so high up on the valley slope that there is very little area above it to provide for an adequate wildlife corridor.”
He acknowledged that there is a wildlife corridor above the neighbourhood, but it’s severely constrained by steep slope, elevation and proximity to housing. He further noted “the fact that community does attract a fair number of young families because it is one of the more affordable communities in town means you have a fair number of young people … that will utilize (the corridor) for recreation.”
Since these long-held concerns were raised 14 years ago, there have been numerous human-wildlife encounters in this area leading to trail closures including the tragedy of Bear 148 who ended up paying with her life.
Yet, here we are in 2019 and Canmore council will be considering on March 19 approving the Peaks Landing development that will add up to 40 more residential units exceeding what the NRCB had authorized at an obvious wildlife pinch point.
A major feature of Peaks Landing appealing to some members of council is the inclusion of seven perpetually affordable housing units to be attractive to young families.
Does Council want to compound the past errors in developing Peaks of Grassi where it is? Those who cannot learn from historical mistakes are condemned to repeat them.
Cinthia Nemoto,
Canmore
