It’s been in process for eight years – and it’s going to be in process for a little more time.

Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors Dec. 9 voted to not pass the first and second readings of Bylaws No. 2341 and 2342 (Rockyview Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendments -Cranbrook East / 673989 BC Ltd.), asking instead for more information and discussion on the proposed 78 lot single family residential subdivision.

The board wants updated input from government agencies on the impacts of the application in the Rampart area east of the City of Cranbrook and wants RDEK staff to conduct further consultation with the applicant in order to attend to the concerns identified in the agency responses, as well as further address the objectives for rural subdivision design contained in the Rockyview Official Community Plan (OCP).

One of the things prompting the regional board to seek more information and discussion with proponent Sheldon Isaman was an Oct. 14 letter from Interior Health Authority (IH), responding to a regional government referral on the issue.

IH Healthy Community Environments’ Pam Moore noted that Interior Health “has expanded the traditional role of reviewing land use from an on-site sewage and drinking water perspective to include the impacts to health from the built environment.”

The proposed subdivision would create “a type of urban sprawl which is associated with negative public health outcomes. Research has shown the negative impact of urban sprawl on physical activity opportunities. Physical inactivity often leads to obesity, which is directly related to chronic diseases such as: type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers,” Moore wrote.

“Interior Health endorses the concept that the built environment influences transportation choices and by association, population health. This proposal specifically: it is too remote from any transit route for transit to be a viable option; it is too remote from any amenities such as schools or food stores to encourage physical activities such as walking or cycling; its remote location depends on vehicle use and will result in increased vehicle emissions,” she outlined, adding, “there is insufficient information provided regarding the aquifer and impact on the aquifer from this proposal, as it relates to the development of on-site drinking water system(s).”

Moore concluded, “At this time Interior Health does not support this re-zoning and OCP amendment, as it currently limits the ability to create and promote a health community environment.”

The letter from IH raised an eyebrow from District of Invermere Mayor and RDEK board vice chair Gerry Taft, who called it “an interesting stance. I don’t know what to think of it.” That said, he added he agreed with sending the application back to regional staff for more consultation.

RDEK chief planner Andrew Macleod said the IH is “trying to take a holistic view” if things.

City of Cranbrook board member Bob Whetham asked the region to take a review one step farther by including the “entire Cranbrook east sub area” and not just the property in question.

“I hope we have an opportunity to explore this in much more detail,” he said, noting the city has 57 year’s worth of infill property for development before outlying areas are developed.

Village of Canal Flats Mayor and board member Ute Juras asked why the subject property/development wasn’t addressed in the Rockyview OCP.

Macleod replied that at the time of the OCP process the Rockyview property was the subject of the 2009 referendum in Cranbrook, so it wasn’t included.

The board voted 11 to four to defer both bylaws, with City of Cranbrook Mayor and board member Wayne Stetski, Whetham, Juras and Electoral Area G director Gerry Wilkie voting against it.

Isaman said after the meeting that he sees the goalposts being moved once again, and has to deal with another delay in eight years of delays.

Above photo: A view from the Rockyview property, looking northeast.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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