A potential hotel/commercial development in the Wildstone neighbourhood is one step closer after City of Cranbrook council passed third reading of an Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendment bylaw April 7 following a public hearing.

The application to amend the Wildstone Neighbourhood Plan in the City of Cranbrook’s Official Community Plan (OCP) is from Haworth Development Consulting Ltd. on behalf of the property owners (1088169 BC Ltd. from Richmond). The property is located between McPhee Road and NorthStar Rails-to-Trails.

The total area affected is approximately 13 ha (32 acres). The applicant is seeking the amendments to facilitate commercial development on the properties. As such, no residential density has been attributed to the lands, noted Rob Veg of Engineering and Development Services in a report on ‘Official Community Plan Our Path to Cranbrook 2042 Amendment Bylaw No. 4190, 2025 & Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4191, 2025.’

“The vision was that commercial development was not to be a significant component of the Wildstone subarea and that commercial development be limited to include a “small commercial enclave” that could include a convenience grocery, coffee shop and neighbourhood gathering place (i.e. pub, cafe, etc.) with the amount, size and type to be determined as part of a zoning bylaw amendment,” Veg reported.

“With respect the proposed changes to the text and conceptual development plan, staff does not have any concerns. The current plan did acknowledge there was to be some commercial development, however nolands had been designated to actually facilitate development. It is acknowledged that the original vision andprovisions in the neighbourhood plan are outdated, may no longer best represent the needs of thedevelopment moving forward, or be the most appropriate for the long-term success of the Wildstonedevelopment.

“It is noted that a number of changes to the plan have occurred over the last few years which have facilitated a number of new developments in the Wildstone neighbourhood. Additionally, the proposed changes will also help increase the available commercial land base for the city which supports economic development and tax income, and could provide neighbourhood commercial services to a growing part of the city. This application may also support the more immediate need for planning in the northern area of the city as supported by the OCP and recommended by staff,” Veg said.

On March 24, council gave second reading to the OCP amendment and first and second readings to the zoning amendment.

The city Advisory Planning Commission considered the proposed amendments April 3 and resolved to recommend council approve the OCP and zoning amendment bylaws.

The bylaw has been sent to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit for approvals, before it is able to come back to council to consider potential adoption at a future date.

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