Back to the drawing board

Council has decided to direct Administration to revise the Land Use Bylaw as it pertains to RV use on Grouped Country Residential (GCR) parcels. The new drafted bylaw would need to appear in front of council for first reading and the public hearing would be reopened.

Council made it clear that they wished to see GCR parcels be used for what they were initially intended for – acreages with primary residences, not campgrounds.

As such, council passed a motion made by Councillor Dean Ward directing Administration to revise the Land Use Bylaw with several outlined provisions: that an allowance is granted allowing people to live in their RVs during construction and that visitors to GCR parcels with a primary residence can stay in their RVs for short term durations.

Councillor Ward also requested that at least a two-year grace period is granted to present GCR landowners, giving them time to decide how to proceed with their property, whether it be building or selling.

Lastly, he requested that language clarifying storage vs short-term visits is included in the bylaw.

Pass’ first cannabis retail application passes first reading

Council passed first reading for a request to re-designate a lot at 12701 20 Avenue in Blairmore from Retail Commerical to Cannabis Retail Commercial. This marks the first request made to council for a re-designation to a lot that can sell cannabis products.

The space is located in the basement of a building in Blairmore where the Health Hub used to be before they moved to their current location along Highway 3 in Coleman. Two other retail businesses occupy the main floor of the building, the Rose Peddler Flowers & Gifts and Telus Mobility.

A public hearing for the lot re-designation is scheduled for October 25 at 8:00 p.m.

Administration noted that the requested site meets the requirements for separation distances from other uses like childcare institutions, parks and healthcare facilities, outlined for Cannabis Retail Commercial (C-4) districts.

The property owner has been working through the application process to become a licensed Cannabis Retailer under the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Regulations (ALGC) and has not yet received full licensing.

Councillor Doreen Glavin noted that the space is near the Crowsnest Pass Municipal Library, which is frequented by children, an institution that council hadn’t considered when laying out the separation distances in the bylaw. Cannabis being a brand new industry in the country, Council conceded that this initial bylaw would be in a test phase.

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