Blairmore resident concerned about potential tourism development

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 27, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A resident of the Crowsnest Pass is sharing her concerns about a land use bylaw amendment that will be heard by council this afternoon in regards to a plot of land she lives adjacent to.

Today the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass council meeting will be hearing from the public about agenda item No. 5, which is in regards of Bylaw 1197, 2024 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Rezone the lands legally described as Plan 0812254, Block 1, Lot 51MR from Recreation & Open Space RO-1 to Urban Tourism Accommodation and Recreation – UTAR.

According to their agenda, Bylaw 1197, 2024 proposes to rezone Lot 51MR, Block 1, Plan 081 2254 to the UTAR district to allow the owner to apply for a development permit for a “Tourism Accommodation” in a resort style development with several cabins. Bylaw 1197, 2024 was given first reading on July 9. Section 692, Planning bylaws, Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c M-26. (MGA) Land Use Bylaw No. 1165-2023.

Marilyn Bigcharles, a Blairmore resident who lives just below the property in question, told the Herald over a phone interview that she is very concerned about this development and she isn’t alone.

“This developer wants to put up little mini homes on a piece of property that should not be developed on. It’s very steep, it would be very dangerous and a part of this a portion of this lot supports the road above it,” said Bigcharles.

She said many area residents have expressed concerns to council in regards to the noise this development could bring to the area and excessive traffic, with multiple people coming and going as the units will be rented on a nightly basis.

“There is a safety issue, this property is very steep. The portion of it where it supports a road, it is an incline of probably 60 to 70 per cent incline, it is also so narrow, the road is not finished, there’s not enough parking, there is no room for off-street parking and it’s dangerous because it’s right next to a cliff,” said Bigcharles.

Within the agenda documents for today’s council meeting, a letter was submitted by Tanner Murphy, partner and construction manager of Tanrock Homes Ltd. addressing some of those concerns, but also explaining why they would like council to allow for the rezoning of the property.

The letter reads in part “Rezoning the land to UTAR will enable Tanrock Homes to develop “The Village,” a mini home resort that aligns with the municipality’s tourism and economic development goals.”

It also states that their project will bring high-quality, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing accommodations to the Crowsnest Pass, enhancing its reputation as an affordable and attractive mountain community for tourists and residents alike.

“We respectfully request the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass approve this land use amendment to support the growth and development of the Crowsnest Pass as a premier tourism destination,” said Murphy.

Within the agenda documents, 15 letters can be found from residents in the area. Nine of those letters are in opposition and six of them are in support. The first letter published in the agenda is in support of the motion written by Brock and Erin Fulkerth, with Brock being the partner and drafting and design manager for Tanrock Homes Ltd.

According to Bigcharles, about 95 per cent of the residents within the area are not in support of the bylaw amendment and feel like council is not listening to their concerns.

“In the past meeting when they removed the Municipal Reserve status, they dismissed all our arguments against it, they said the development office will take care of them,” said Bigcharles.

She said they are expecting multiple residents to speak at the council meeting this afternoon and a decision will be made within the same meeting as they will have second and third reading then as well.

More information can be found on pages 34 to 78 from the meeting agenda at https://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/files/250016

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