Major Planning Applications

What is Happening?

An 89 unit apartment building is being proposed at 1707 Spring Creek Gate. This is a permitted use in the Spring Creek Mountain Village Comprehensive Residential Direct Control District.

This application does not comply with the Land Use Bylaw and will require the following variance:

• To maximum building height in accordance with Section 14.27.4.9.

Next Steps

We are currently reviewing the application and will issue a decision. We estimate this will be completed by the end of February 2025.

Should an approval with variances be issued, a Notice of Decision will be posted on the property, and notification will be advertised in the Rocky Mountain Outlook. There will be a 21-day appeal period.

What is Happening

• We have received an application for the Smith Creek Conceptual Scheme and Land Use Amendment for the first phase of the Smith Creek ASP area.
• The Conceptual Scheme provides more detailed information regarding planning, servicing, transportation, and parks. The associated land use amendment proposes land use districts and overlays that correspond with the density and building type included in the Conceptual Scheme.
• Phase 1 of Smith Creek comprises approximately 21.58 hectares (approximately 53.34 acres) and is located on the eastern side of the Town of Canmore, south of the TransCanada Highway, southeast of the Stewart Creek Community, and north of the Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club. This area is intended for residential development, including detached dwellings, duplex dwellings, and townhouse development, and will include designating community lands for municipal use (i.e. affordable housing). Public open space is provided and includes a variety of green space and trails.

What You Need to Know

• The 1992 NRCB Decision set the allowable land uses within the area. An amendment to the Land Use Bylaw is needed to advance the approved ASP.
• According to Section 619 of the Municipal Government Act, the Town must adopt amendments to Land Use Bylaws and statutory plans where the changes are consistent with an NRCB Approval.
• Council normally holds a public hearing in addition to three bylaw readings for Land Use amendments; however, so long as the applications are consistent the 1992 NRCB Decision, MGA s.619 removed the requirement for a public hearing. 
• Conceptual Schemes are adopted by a resolution of Council and do not require a public hearing.

Next Steps

• Upon completing a detailed review of the submission, a report will be brought forward to Council.

Learn More

• Read the approved Smith Creek ASP.
• For questions about the approval process, contact us by filling out our Planning Inquiry Form. Mention ‘Smith Creek Phase 1 Application’ in your submission.
• Learn more about Smith Creek.

What is Happening

We have received a subdivision application to create four parcels on the Canmore Regional Public Schools lands. The proposal is to accommodate the existing school buildings, the existing Air Cadet and daycare buildings, and two lots that are intended for future multi-unit residential development.

Location

The location of the proposed development is 618 7 Avenue.

Next Steps

We are currently reviewing this application.

What is Happening

We have received an development permit application for redevelopment of the existing Petro Canada site. The proposal is for a “Gas Bar and Service Station” use and a “Drive-in/Drive-through Food Service” use. Both proposed uses are discretionary within the Bow Valley Trail General Commercial District.

Location

The location of the proposed development is 1731 Mountain Avenue.

Next Steps

We are currently reviewing this application.

What is Happening

We have received a development permit application for a 17-unit townhouse project for 1405 Mountain Avenue. “Townhouse” and “Townhouse, Stacked” are permitted uses within the Teepee Town Comprehensive Redevelopment District – Sub-District B. However, the applicant is proposing variances which will be identified and discussed through the review process.

Location

The location of the proposed development is 1405 Mountain Avenue.

Next Steps

We are currently review this application.

What is Happening

We have received an application to amend the Palliser Lane Perpetual Affordable Housing Direct Control District. The proposed text amendments are to accommodate more flexibility in the placement of the building and provide flexibility with respect to the architectural design of the building. The amendments include:

• A rear yard setback reduction from 12.0 m to 0.0 m along Palliser Trail
• Flexibility to allow variances to Section 11 of the Land Use Bylaw (Community Architectural & Urban Design Standards)

Location

The location of the proposed development is 100 Palliser Lane

Next Steps

A public hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2025.

What is Happening?

We have received an application to amend the Land Use Bylaw. The landowner of 111 Three Sisters Drive has applied to redesignate their property from the R2A Residential Low Density District to a Direct Control District, which will be referred to as the Canmore Creek Chalets Direct Control District.

The applicant is requesting this rezoning to allow for the development of a four-storey apartment building with four five-bedroom units for Common Amenity Housing, along with five townhome units. The applicant believes a Direct Control District is necessary to address the irregular shape of the property, protect the creek setback area, and ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses.

Next Steps

The first reading for this application (Bylaw 2025-08) has not yet been scheduled but is expected to take place later this fall.

What is Happening

A development permit application for a previously approved Nordic Spa has been received for 1 Silvertip Trail. The proposal is to amend on-site design elements of the previously approved Accessory Use and Accessory Buildings (accessory nordic spa amenity). The amendments include changes to exterior building finishes, fence material, location and sizing of pools, and changes to landscaping. These are discretionary uses within the Silvertip Trail Direct Control District.

Next Steps

The application was approved by the Canmore Planning Commission on Nov. 28, 2024, and subsequently appealed to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.  A merit hearing was held on Feb. 7, 2025. A decision will be issued by the Board within 15 days of closing the hearing.

What is Happening?

We received a subdivision application to create five new lots (four residential lots and one for a proposed palliative care centre) to be developed in the future in accordance with the Direct Control District that governs the lands. 

This is the next step after the proponent’s DC District was approved by Council in 2023 (Bylaw 2022-10).

Next Steps

We are reviewing the application for conformance with the Municipal Government Act, any applicable Area Redevelopment Plan, and the Land Use Bylaw. Following review, we will issue an initial decision (either an approval or refusal.) We estimate this will be completed by the end of December 2024.

If an initial approval is issued, endorse the subdivision application once all of the conditions for approval are met.

What is Happening

We have received a development permit application for a new residential development at 100 Palliser Lane. The proposal is to develop Perpetually Affordable Housing in the form of two Apartment Buildings consisting of 144 units. This is a permitted use within the Palliser Lane Perpetually Affordable Housing Direct Control District.

Location

The location of the proposed development is 100 Palliser Lane.

Next Steps

We are currently reviewing this application. We anticipate that a decision on the development will be issued in March 2025.

What is Happening?

A palliative care facility is being proposed at 800 3 Avenue. This is a permitted use in the 3rd Avenue South Direct Control District; however, this application does not comply with the Land Use Bylaw and will require the following variances:

• To allow for breaks in pedestrian connectivity
• To allow for vehicle parking in the front yard

Next Steps

We are determining the development authority (the Canmore Planning Commission or the development officer) who will issue a decision (either an approval or refusal.) We estimate this will be completed by the end of December 2024

Should an approval with variances be issued, a Notice of Decision will be posted on the property, and notification will be advertised in the Rocky Mountain Outlook. There will be a 21-day appeal period.

What is Happening

In October 2007, the Silvertip Area Structure Plan was adopted by Town Council. In accordance with this plan, Stone Creek Properties Inc. has applied to:

• Change two parcels from Silvertip Golf Course DC District [20(Z)93DC & 14(Z)95DC] to STR-2 Silvertip Comprehensive Residential District to accommodate a property boundary adjustment (see Figure 1: Location Map); and,
• Amend the STR-2 Silvertip Comprehensive Residential District to allow for an increase in maximum allowable height for Apartment Buildings, Townhouses, and Stacked Townhouses from 12m to 22.32m and replace the maximum eaveline height of 9.5m with a minimum 5:12 roof slope.

Location

The location of the subject property is Lot 5, Block 9, Plan 241 0752.

Next Steps

Bylaw 2024-20 will be presented to Council for first reading on April 1, 2025. If the bylaw proceeds, there will be an opportunity to submit formal correspondence as part of the public hearing process, which is anticipated to be scheduled on May 6, 2025.

What is Happening

• On April 23, 2024 Council approved a Conceptual Scheme and Land Use Bylaw amendment related to the approved Three Sisters Village ASP.
• The Conceptual Scheme application represents one phase of the larger Three Sisters Village ASP area. It provides more detailed information regarding planning, servicing, transportation, and parks. The associated Land Use amendment proposes land use districts that correspond with the density and building type included in the Conceptual Scheme.
• Phase 1 of Three Sisters Village comprises 72 acres in the northeast of the Three Sisters Village area. This area is intended for residential development, including townhome, stacked townhome, or apartment buildings, and will likely include designated affordable housing (Vital Homes or similar program). A large portion of Phase 1 is designated for public open space and includes a variety of parks and trails.

What You Need to Know

• The 1992 NRCB Decision set the allowable land uses within the area. An amendment to the Land Use Bylaw is needed to advance the approved ASP.
• According to Section 619 of the Municipal Government Act, the Town must adopt amendments to Land Use Bylaws and statutory plans where the changes are consistent with an NRCB Approval.
• Council normally holds a public hearing in addition to three bylaw readings for Land Use amendments; however, so long as the applications are consistent the 1992 NRCB Decision, MGA s.619 removed the requirement for a public hearing. In this specific situation, there was not a public hearing.
• Conceptual Schemes are adopted by a resolution of Council and do not require a public hearing.

Next Steps

• Now that the Conceptual Scheme and Land Use Bylaw amendments are approved, we expect that developer will submit subdivision applications followed by individual development and building permit applications. This process will occur over several years.

Learn More

• Read the approved ASP
• Read the approved Conceptual Scheme
• For questions about the approval process, contact us by filling out our Planning Inquiry Form. Be sure to mention ‘Three Sisters Village Phase 1 Application’ in your submission.
• Learn more about Three Sisters Mountain Village

What's Happening

On April 6, 2021, Council gave second and third reading to Land Use Bylaw Amendment 2020-19, which rezoned the Gateway property in accordance with the previously-approved Stewart Creek Area Structure Plan and the Town of Canmore’s Municipal Development Plan.

The Gateway concept includes a mix of grocery, retail, commercial, light industrial, innovation hub, employee housing, and multi-unit residential development, as well as an environmental reserve and municipal park. Public improvements for this development include a roundabout, replacing the 4-way stop at the Three Sisters Parkway interchange, and a primary multi-modal road internal to the site. The Gateway lands are located to the east of Three Sisters Boulevard and south of the TransCanada Highway and overpass.

The Gateway lands are within the Commercial and Mixed-Use land use classification of the Town of Canmore’s MDP, which includes a mix of commercial and residential development.

The Site 5 lands are designated TS-GD Three Sisters Gateway Commercial District, R3 SC1 - Residential Comprehensive Multiple Unit, Stewart Creek District, ED - Environmental District and PD - Public Use District in the Town’s Land Use Bylaw. 

Subdivision

A resubmission of the existing approved subdivision for these lands was submitted and given tentative approval in August 2023. The subdivision has now been registered, enabling development permit applications to be submitted on lots designated for development.

Please refer to the maps and concepts included below.

• Subdivision of the Gateway at Three Sisters Phasing Plan
• Subdivision of the Gateway at Three Sisters Tentative Plan of Subdivision
• Subdivision of the Gateway at Three Sisters Legal Plan
• Subdivision of the Gateway at Three Sisters Context Plan

Related Development Permit Applications

None at this time.