CANMORE – A direct control district on Harvie Heights Road to allow for a new location for Trinity Bible Church was approved by Canmore council, despite Town staff recommending the process move forward with an amendment to the Town’s growth boundary.
The decision came after roughly 80 letters and 13 speakers – the majority voicing support – appealed to the opportunity the lands near Harvie Heights had for both the church and community benefit.
Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert called it “a win for the community and a win for the applicant” and that it was a “gentle repurposing” with eventual building of the church on the site.
Town staff had recommended council postpone second and third readings and that the application be made for an amending bylaw for the growth boundary in the Municipal Development Plan before the end of the year.
However, the definition of growth through an urban and rural lens was discussed due to it being outside the growth boundary of the Town and whether a church was ultimately urban or rural in nature.
Coun. Tanya Foubert said the process was beneficial since land use planning in Canmore is different than other communities.
“For the longest time, it’s been this way to ensure that as stewards of this place, we do not let development grow in an unrestricted way. That growth is managed, growth is something we have an eye on.”
She added if Canmore were more flat in geography as opposed to surrounded by mountains, the discussion would unlikely be one taking place at council.
Coun. Joanna McCallum, who has previously voiced reticence of expanding the growth boundary, added it was “really tough conversations” but it provided a “unique opportunity” since it wasn’t a financialization of property.
As part of the approval, the three-bedroom house on the property would be donated to Canmore Community Housing (CCH), multiple speakers from the church said.
According to CCH’s May agenda minutes, a person representing the church met with CCH to discuss donating the three-bedroom house on the property intended to be redeveloped. The minutes noted “there is no obvious piece of land to move the structure to, and that any land owned by CCH would be developed with a denser form of housing.”
In addition to the approval, McCallum’s motion to add daycare as a discretionary use was successful.
Coun. Wade Graham noted daycare options are “sorely needed in this community.”
Coun. Jeff Hilstad said after hearing from residents through both the public hearing and letters of support, it “provides an exceptional community support.”
While members of the church were vocal in supporting the project, people not belonging to the church also highlighted the help it provides through community services.
“I have felt that today during the public hearing and they’re willing to work with people who are not part of their church, so I see a very big community benefit for us,” said Coun. Karen Marra.
