The Alberta Land and Property Rights Tribunal has ordered the City of Canmore to use the Three Sisters and Smith Creek real estate megaprojects. They were rejected by the city council in the spring of 2021, after pressure from citizen and environmental groups.
Real estate developer Three Sisters Mountain Village plans to build these two projects in the southern part of the municipality, including up to 5,000 homes, as well as hotels and businesses. He estimates he could increase Canmore’s population by 10,000 over the next few decades, which means nearly doubling the current population.
The size of the projects is certainly of concern to many environmental groups and citizens. They fear they will restrict wildlife movement in Bow Valley, raise municipal taxes and reduce access to affordable housing. They would have preferred a smaller residential complex.
The Canmore City Council rejected the two joint projects last year, and said they did not comply with the approval given to them by the Natural Resources Conservation Council when the project was first presented, in 1992.
Three Sisters Mountain Village appealed these decisions to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, which upheld the plans and ordered the Town of Canmore to use them.
Frustration, pleasure and caution
The Town of Canmore has declined to comment on these decisions so far. At this time, we take the time to review decisions and provide an update when appropriate.said a spokeswoman for the Municipality, Robyn Dinnadge.
Developer Three Sisters Mountain Village said it was satisfied with the court’s decision. Our team has worked hard on these tenders to create a beautiful housing complex for Canmore and Three Sisters and in accordance with the city council decision, allowing the development of our properties. The court decision reflects the quality of our team’s worksaid the company’s president, David Taylor, in a press release.
The environmental group Yellowstone in the Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), which testified at the court hearings, said deep frustration and concern after this decision. According to him, the approval given by the Natural Resources Conservation Council in 1992 is old.
” This decision is contrary to the latest science and to the community context, which is very different today than it was 30 years ago. “
Unless reversed, this decision will affect our lands, wildlife movement and wildlife habitat in the region. Keeping these lands cohesive and intact is in the interest of the Albertans now and in the future.refers to Y2Y.
Source: Radio-Canada
