A public hearing has been set for a proposed development that would see 12 single-family riverfront parcels in the St. Mary Neighbourhood near Shadow Mountain.
The proposal has been shelved after the developer wanted time to address community concerns.
ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation Council were against the development citing concerns around changes to water quality, erosion and interrupting ecosystems.
Council debated whether the proposal should make it to a public hearing or be denied right away.
Mayor Wayne Price believed moving it to a hearing was the fairest option.
“Historically I’ve always been in favour of a first reading and a public hearing,” he said.
“I just think the full democratic process is not being adhered to until you hear both sides of it. I think the developer has a right to speak to the public and the people who are opposed have the right to speak as well. I would hate to get in the habit of prejudging these things.”
Councillor Norma Blisset was torn on the decision but ultimately voted in favour.
“We’ve had some significant response already from some big players that are opposed to this development. I would suggest that if we do go ahead with the public hearing we should recontact Ê”aqÌ“am and KNC to see if they still support the letters they have already submitted or if they want to change their position,” she said.
“The one thing I think about is all the stress we cause when we go to public hearings because people start getting worried about how we’re going to vote and I would rather not conflict that on people.”
The decision to go to a public hearing was passed in a 6-1 vote. Councillor Wayne Stetski was the lone vote against.
The hearing is set for June 24 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
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