An application to approve a re-zone to allow a Red Mountain property owner to add a second recreation cabin to his property was approved by council on Nov. 12.
The proposal by Warren Hamm—an upper Red Mountain Ski Resort resident—was to add a second recreational cabin to his 20-acre property and would amend the MA-1 zone (the skiing terrain of Red Mountain).
However, an additional recreational cabin allowed on one parcel in the zone facilitated rental lodging, dual ownership and subsequent subdivision, former city planner Mike Maturo had cautioned, scenarios not supported by the city’s Official Community Plan.
He recommended leaving the density at one recreation cabin per parent parcel.
Councilor Jody Blomme did not see how the potential re-zone would affect the Red Mountain neighbours negatively.
“And it is our prerogative to make exceptions to the rules,” she said.
Councilor Jill Spearn wanted to see less cabins on that area of Red Mountain, rather than more.
Council later passed third reading and adoption of the bylaw—both by a vote of three to two.
At a city council meeting on Sept. 9 council gave first and second reading to bylaw 2556—a bylaw that amends the zoning bylaw to allow Hamm’s MA-1 zoned parcel to have up to two recreation cabins.
City staff brought the recommendation to rescind forward after they discovered the bylaw number assigned to the amendment had already been utilized by another bylaw.
Based upon legal advice, it was recommended council strike first and second readings and re-do first and second readings with the correct bylaw number.
Council passed first and second reading on the bylaw on Sept. 23 and had set a public hearing for Oct. 15 in council chambers to hear information on the matter
Council advanced the bylaw to first and second reading on September 23, 2013 and had a Public Hearing on October 28, 2013. At the meeting on October 28, 2013,
City staff has noted that a number of zoning bylaw and building code servicing requirements—road access, emergency services, sewer/water—still remain outstanding.
The issuance of a building permit will first require registered legal access to the property, a city staff report read.
“Due to the remote location, other non-permitted uses (short-term lodging and associated commercial servicing) could appear as two recreation cabins drives a stronger economic model to support new associated activities alongside them,” it said.
A second recreation cabin was defined as an accessory use to the other.
