Letter to the Editor

I read the article written by Trevor Crawley, Cranbrook Townsman, where he reported on the facts, comments presented at the public hearing and the fact that city council endorsed the density change to Wildstone development – specifically, a development on Wildstone Drive.

Wildstone Drive is registered on title as Plan NEP86333 in the Official Community Plan (OCP) and this plan specifies the number of units permitted on each pod along this long, narrow, private road with two golf cart crossings.

Crowne Pacific Development Corp. is seeking to change the OCP to increase Pod 4’s density from 126 rental units to 252 rental units – they wish to build four apartment buildings instead of the two buildings that are presently allowed (these two buildings will be built in 2026 whether or not the increased  density is approved.)

There has been much opposition to this proposal both in the many letters written to council and in the many presentations at the public hearing.

Councillor Wayne Stetski was the only councillor to vote against this increased density.  He said that the city should respect the existing OCP.  He went on to say that the city is doing very well this year – 300 building permits have been issued in Cranbrook and 200 more building permits are in the works.  The city is in a much improved, good  position in 2025 as compared to a few years ago, specifically 2021, when this same developer asked for 237 apartment units on Wildstone Drive and his request was turned down by the council at the time.

Councillor Ron Popoff says that the provincial government wants local governments to have vibrant neighbourhoods with mixed density.  Wildstone Drive certainly meets these criteria right now.  We have single family homes, villas, duplexes, condos and very soon two apartment buildings (126 rental units).  We certainly have a vibrant neighbourhood.

So, I have two questions for Mayor and council.

Why are the returning councillors who voted no in 2021 to Crowne Pacific’s Development Corp.’s proposal on Wildstone Drive, now voting yes?  In 2025, the building permits are way up from 2021.  The city is in a much better position than we were in 2021.

Secondly, I am wondering why you are not representing your constituents who have such valid concerns/reservations about this proposal to double the density. The majority of the 200 families now living along Wildstone Drive are opposed to this increased density proposed by the developer.

Jackie Petzold,

Cranbrook

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