Employee Housing in Industrial Districts
After hearing from the community at a public hearing in September, Council debated the issue of Employee Housing in certain Industrial Districts. Council discussed a number of amendments and decided to approve both bylaws under discussion, which will discourage Employee Housing in certain Industrial Districts, while allowing it in others. You can watch the discussion on our YouTube page: Town of Canmore - YouTube
Housing Action
Tourist Home Conversions
Council gave first reading to Revised Land Use Bylaw Amendment 2024-30 – Tourist Home Conversions and scheduled a public hearing for December 3, 2024. The proposed amendment will permit the conversion of an existing Tourist Home to a corresponding residential use without the requirement to obtain a development permit.
Updating Property Tax Policy
Council updated the Property Tax Policy and approved the Division of Class 1 Property Bylaw Amendment. Both of these updates are related to Housing Action initiatives around Tourist Homes and the Livability Tax Program. Learn more about both of these initiatives here: Housing Action: Town of Canmore
Business Registry Licence Bylaw Amendment
Council approved Business Registry Licence Bylaw Amendment 2024-27. The bylaw includes language requiring tourist homes to have one business licence per unit and include the licence number in all marketing material. Additional changes include updates to the classification of a micro business licence, and an increase to the fee schedule for business licences.
Recycling Update
The Provincial Government has enacted legislation that shifts the responsibility of recycling from individual municipalities to the businesses that produce products and packaging. Businesses are seeking to use municipalities collection programs to deliver recycling services. Municipalities are being offered compensation packages to cover the cost of providing these recycling services. Council approved the signing of contracts for the Town to become a recycling service provider.
Community Fireguard Update
Approved a new 2024 capital project for the construction of community fireguards in Stoneworks Creek, Harvie Heights, and the East Park Gates. Learn more about the project here: Bow Valley Community Fireguard: Town of Canmore
Council also:
- Approved Revised Land Use Bylaw Amendment 2024-22 - Wildlife Exclusion Fencing, which will permit the construction and maintenance of a Wildlife Exclusion Fence to implement Area Structure Plan policy and/or a capital project funded and led by the Province of Alberta, without the requirement to obtain a development permit.
- Approved a paid medical, family caregiver and compassionate care leaves for members of Council policy.