Three Sisters

Sinkhole repair in Three Sisters gets approval

Canmore Town council has added a new capital project for this year that will permanently remediate a nearly five metre deep sinkhole in Three Sisters Mountain Village.

Late last year, Mayor John Borrowman announced the Town had received a $600,000 grant from the Province to fix the hole, located along a municipal pathway near Dyrgas Gate that formed in May 2010.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday (May 21), members of council voted unanimously to proceed with a capital project to fix the sinkhole, which was the result of an airshaft from Seam No. 4 in the No. 4 mine. The mine was closed in the 1940s.

In a presentation to council, Town manager of engineering services Andy Esarte indicated a significant amount of discussion had taken place regarding liability for potential sinkholes created from developing on undermined lands.

Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Residents gather for Three Sisters info ahead of public hearing

The debate surrounding a massive project for the remaining 80 per cent of developable land in Canmore has garnered increased attention since Town council unanimously delayed first reading of a new area structure plan (ASP) last week.

That interest was on full display Friday (May 3) when more than 200 people packed the Canmore Seniors’ Centre for a presentation by local experts regarding proposed development in Three Sisters Mountain Village.

“A whole lot of people care a whole lot about this Valley,” said Gareth Thomson at the presentation before introducing the guest speakers.

Following council’s decision to delay first reading of the ASP due to the belief it would not have received a majority of votes from councillors to pass and therefore end the months-long process, residents concerned with the development have stepped up their efforts ahead of a public hearing next Wednesday (May 15).

The main issues local experts, as well as those currently living near the possible development have, surrounds the wildlife corridor adjacent to the proposal and the risks associated with building on undermined lands.

Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Council skips first reading of Three Sisters ASP

An area structure plan (ASP) for the remaining 80 per cent of developable land in Canmore has moved past first reading and will go directly to a public hearing following a decision by Town council at a special meeting, Tuesday (April 30).

Council unanimously voted to proceed with a formal public hearing on May 15 instead of first reading of a new ASP for Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV) due to a lack of confidence the plan would actually be approved as presented.

A public hearing is held following first reading of any new bylaw, but since the ASP has, according to both administration and councillors, uncertainty surrounding various issues, the hearing will precede first reading in hopes the applicant will make changes before the matter is brought back to council.

Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Council hears review of Environmental Impact Statement

*published in April 4 edition of the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

The Town of Canmore’s third party reviewer of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for proposed development in Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV) has outlined three main issues for council to review before first reading of a new area structure plan (ASP) is presented at the end of the month.

Management and Solutions in Environmental Science (MSES), the reviewer, highlighted the functionality of wildlife corridors, mitigation options and cumulative impacts during Tuesday’s (April 2) regular council meeting.

A packed council chambers was present to hear the report, which was provided as information that, according to Town planner Steven de Keijzer, “forms a key foundation of the ASP policies and land use regulations,” as the Town considers a development that could increase the population by 9,000 at full build out.

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Council to weigh fencing, corridor on Three Sisters

Canmore Town council will face a tough decision next week as it evaluates a Sustainable Screening Report (SSR) concerning proposed development on land within Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV).

If approved, the development could, according to estimates, increase the town’s population by 10,000 people.

Over the last week and a half some residents, especially those already living in TSMV, have voiced their opposition to the proposal after the receiver in charge, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), laid out the draft plan for development.

Last Wednesday (Feb. 27), more than 90 residents gathered at St. Michael’s Hall in Canmore for a presentation from local conservation groups regarding what some local experts feel is a major issue with the proposed development having a significant impact on the wildlife corridor adjacent to TSMV. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Canmore council turns down Stewart Creek development

After a lengthy debate between members of the public and councillors regarding a proposed development on Stewart Creek Golf Course, Canmore Town council did not approve a required Sustainability Screening Report (SSR) application due to the site’s location adjacent to a wildlife corridor and its lack of providing an overall benefit to the town.

Canmore council held a special meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 12), where it heard presentations from the applicant as well as members from the public concerning the plan to develop 20 cabins, or houses, near the golf clubhouse.

According to the agenda package given to council before the SSR hearing, the proposed land use development is in accordance with the existing Three Sisters Mountain Village Stewart Creek Area Structure Plan (ASP) from 2004. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.