Interesting story in the Crowsnest Promoter this week "Municipality appeals controversial development" available at http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3385896
Now we have entered the dawn of the new era in the Crowsnest Pass where policies and procedures set the way that business is done.
This story makes one ask many questions the subdivision board makes a decision that is unanimously passed with two members of council sitting on that board.
The CAO had discussions with members of council and had their support did this include the two councilors that sat on this board, does that include the member of council that sits on the appeal board if not then to have a majority it means every other member of council supports him?
What position will the SDB and its members take at the appeal board?
Why was the applicant not told to rezone?
The proposed development is not compatible with the present downtown commercial businesses in the immediate area?
The municipality also has concerns that the proposed development is inappropriate from a planning standpoint?
Why were these issues not raised by administration or the two councilors at the SDB?
Its going to take quite a policy to ensure that this never happens again
28 comments:
The pandora's box has been opened releasing the evils to the world we know to be Crowsnest Pass politics. :-)
Time and time again this council comes across as dysfunctional to the extreme, with the left hand not knowing what the right is doing?
Interesting to see that the Promoter's recent poll shows more in favour than against.
This is a watershed moment with things suddenly getting very interesting.
JP
On this subject of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing. I just did the math it's now been 135 days since the annoucement of the Blairmore/Coleman shops being combined. They are both still being used the same has before.
I was more then a little struck by Councilor Emile’s blog comments on Nov 18th http://emilesaindon.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/this-week-in-review/# . One week after the newspaper published this NOTICE OF APPROVAL Councilor Emile does not know anything about this new approved business. He says he “will ask the CAO” if he knows anything…end of comments, things go quiet on his blog. I am a retired citizen with general interest in the well being of this community so I look over the town notices to be a bit informed on what is going on.
Perhaps we need a new POLICY. Buy the councilors a newspaper subscription so they can keep abreast of what is going on at city hall.
It is a little disconcerting to think someone this disengaged is making the decisions in our community.
JRE
Good for them! They caught a mistake and are trying to fix it, that takes courage. This is so much better than the we are doing it because we have always done it that way attitude of past administration and councils. I'm very impressed!
Did the Belevue library really shut down or were we just told that to make us think something is really happening.
Jack
I'd be worried about the parking. Automotive etc repair businesses need a lot of parking. If you go in the morning to drop your car for the day, there's a half dozen other people doing the same. Then there are cars that are waiting for parts, they have to be put somewhere. They'll end up on the road. I'm all for more businesses in the Pass, but why there?
Read Sindon's headline from last week.
Wow! How fast can a RUMOUR get people GOING?
I wonder if he listened to the audio on the meeting.
The Pass Promoter front page article is just one more of the many stories chronicling how things are done in the Crowsnest Pass. People who tried to do business straight up here found themselves with problem after problem.
Imagine the satisfaction of making a proposal that you get 100% of the SDB support. A few days later you get a letter announcing the unpleasant surprise you owe 25,000 in offsite levies. A few more days you find out the town administrator has appealed the SD Board’s unanimous approval of your project. Most people only put up with so much of this before they pack up and leave. The culture here has gutted the business climate to the point it is today. We watch the down town decline year after year with more and more vacant buildings for sale or rent because the economic viability becomes less and less. Back in the good old days we had car, motorcycle and snowmobile dealerships in this town. All gone. One was across the street and three others were within a block or two of where this new business is being proposed.
I think this council is lost. They are too busy at RETREATS (code for meetings were the public and press are not welcome) coming up with plans to change our volunteer fire departments, dealing with public safety issues and god knows what else.
I think we need to see a little leadership from the councilors & mayor, they need to get off the fence and let us know where they stand on this issue (of coarse with the exception of Saje and Mitchell who have already put up there hand and been counted).
Question for Anom 2 Dec 9:16 AM
You say you are very impressed. What is the mistake they caught?
JRE
Dean wouldn't the issue of parking be covered off in his development permit?
Can anyone tell me what this guy gets for 25,000 offsite levy? Do other towns charge this much?
It appears the CAO and SOME MEMEBERS OF CONUCIL have a difference of opinion with the subdivision board. The SDB unanimously approved the application while the CAO states (on behalf of some councils) "the proposed development is not compatible with the present downtown commercial businesses in the immediate area" and "the municipality also has concerns that the proposed development is inappropriate from a planning standpoint".
I think it is underhanded for the CAO to advise the applicant not to apply for zoning change then appeal his successful application by saying “the Development Board didn't have the authority to approve the development permit because C1 property doesn't allow for discretionary use.”
Looks like town hall continues to be a very tricky place to do business. I guess what we are saying is “if you try to do business here be careful who you take advise from, the advise can be flipped around and used against you“.
Danny
Ok folks, it's time to hear from someone who supports the CAO's position. A motorcycle repair facility in the downtown area of Blairmore makes absolutely no sense from a planning standpoint. I know "planning" has been absent in the community since forever. However, if we ever want to attract business, then this place needs some standards and planning. Spare me all this talk about how hard it is to do business here. Just because you don't get your way, doesn't mean you can't do business here. How many commerical/light industrial buildings are sitting empty at the west end of Blairmore. If you want to do business as a motorcycle repair shop, do it there.
Anom 8:04 AM
With all due respect I think you have mutated the discussion.
I understand your opinion thinking this is a poor location for a motor cycle shop and your points regarding location have merit and should have been brought forward in an OPEN and PUBLIC discussion preferably to the subdivision board so they could consider your concerns before they made their decision. If you are not happy with SDB decision you had the right to appeal against their decision and present your concerns to the appeal board. Correct me if I am wrong but I do not think you have done either. As far as I know there were no objections or presentations opposing this application and if there were the SDB took them into consideration. Also I do not think there were any appeals filed from the public.
The point of my post is not to argue for or against the location as I do not know the details of this application. My point is we have a board of appointed trussed citizens and two elected councilors that we entrust with these decisions. The CAO should tell the applicant up front he needs zoning change. He should not have discussion with SOME councilors and then file an appeal because the SDB didn’t do what he (they) wanted. I think this is very undermining to the SDB and the job we ask them to do for us.
While I do agree with you we have had poor planning forever I think this problem is small compared the less then transparent way we have done things FOREVER.
One last point, I disagree with your comment “Just because you don't get your way, doesn't mean you can't do business here.” The application was properly presented and approved. The applicant did get what he wanted, it is the process being used to try and take it away I object to.
Danny
I support CAO, Myron Thompson in appealing this approved development. A great deal of time and money has been spent to develop the "strategic plan" for business growth and sustainability in Crowsnest Pass, and it is very refreshing to see Mr. Thompson walking the talk.
I know I am not alone in wishing all the best to the proposed business developer and sincerely hope he does not become discouraged in his venture. Crowsnest Pass needs new business and its residents want new business. If we are to attract the types of businesses to our main streets described in the Municipality's strategic plan, we must demonstrate that we have, and are following, a critical and well thought-out plan.
Loreena Russomanno
Your right a great deal of time and money has been spent on this strategic plan.
We can keep wishing upon a star but at the present rate of vacancies on main street do you think we can be fussy about attracting businesses.
Lets take a businessman that wants to set up here embrace and encourage him.
Put restrictions in place on the parking and enforce them I can not see any real issue other than that.
He says he will make it look like the Greenhill so make that a requirement.
At the rate we are going in five years we may have a wonderful plan, but a complete vacant main street.
"do you think we can be fussy about attracting businesses?.
In all due respect, yes, I believe we can and we should.
"Lets take a businessman that wants to set up here embrace and encourage him."
I agree. There are many suitable places in Crowsnest Pass for this type of business. I sincerely wish him much success.
Loreena Russomanno
It looks like we have two different discussions going on here. This front page story in the Promoter is well written and penned by a discerning journalist. Joni MacFarlane appears to be quiet sharp presenting the nuances making a note worthy community interest story. For those who hear what is being reported and are concerned about the “process” we have one discussion. For others who are focused on the motorcycle shop location we have another discussion.
I don’t think the location beside the Green Hill is the best for this new business. On the other hand this land has been for sale for 10 years so sitting vacant another 10 of 20 years may not be that good either. Danny has articulated the “process” concerns quite well and raised some good points. I think his comment on disrespect for the SDB is good.
This is just horrible planning.If the cao was right in his appeal then he is wrong in not informing the board as to the rules they should be following.Considering this council is all about "policy", I am disgusted that this could happen.
I agree with Danny 100%.
Can anybody tell me how many vacant store fronts there are on main street?
How many more will we have in the next twelve months?
are people worried about the looks of main street Blairmore?
it's a little late for that, forget looks we need businesses and a tax base
this community lacks a great main street (shopping area) like so many other small towns have, a street with businesses on both sides where you can park on one side and walk up and down back to your vehicle.
I think if you have been to "other" small towns you will also notice there are empty places. Even in downtown Lethbridge there are empty places. No big deal. I think downtown Blairmore has pretty much everything that anyone could need. And you can park and walk up and down, but they need to get an no idle in place. Yuck, yuck, specially diesels. When you park think about the people walking by please. And shut off.
Several comments just went over the minutes of the Subdivision boards meeting where they dealt with this issue(November 2).I quote the minutes.
"Councillor Saje noted that the artist's renderings were good and fit well in the area".
"Chairman Wagner thanked Mr Taggart for his application noting the unanimous support and that the Authority shared his excitement over the prospects of a new business".
I hope the rest of council stands behind their board just has the two councillors did at the meeting.
So what happens if the council and the CAO disagree on this issue?
Jack
Just to set the record straight, the SDA has one member of Council. Same deal for the Appeal Board.
7:31 Just to set the record straight you are wrong I sat on that board for two years there was always two Councilors but don't believe me.
If you go to page 38 of the package for the Dec 6 meeting (available on the municipal web site) on the minutes for the SDA meeting of November 2, it is there in black and white Present: Councilor Larry Mitchell and Councilor Saje.
I thought this development board was in place to ensure this sort of mess does not happen. Are they not supposed to act and approve development within the bi laws, zoning and the strategic plan? They clearly did not. Is this yet another case of a special interest group doing as they please and hoping everyone is too afraid to speak up? I do not see how the CAO had a choice here(other than turn a blind eye) I am sure this is not his idea of a good time, and I hope he calls for board’s resignations for making The Crowsnest Pass look like fools once again.
The question is, Who is the fool? Is it the CAO or the board.Is it not the CAOs job to set out the guidelines for the board. Was this done? If so then the board messed up.If not the CAO messed up.
My best guess is this is politically driven and for whatever reason either the CAO or the Mayor had a bone to pick.
We are supposedly trying to help businesses come into the Pass.1 giant leap backwards if you ask me.I would like to hear open debate on this subject from council.Sickening!!!!
2:29
For all the reasons you have listed that is why they put two councillors on the SDA
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