Cranbrook City council has approved an OCP and zoning amendment for the Cabins in the Woods development in the St. Mary neighbourhood plan.
The proposed development will see 12 single-family riverfront parcels in the St. Mary Neighbourhood near Shadow Mountain.
Residents Ktunaxa Nation Council were against the development citing concerns around changes to water quality, erosion and interrupting ecosystems.
City staff said the parcel is zoned for use so it’s only a matter of time before something is built and this development would ensure a smaller impact to the area.
Councillor Ron Popoff says the development will have to abide by numerous environmental regulations.
“We want those homes to be built in that location with all those permitting requirements done by the regulating agencies in place to allow 12 families to live in those homes versus what the other options are that may not be all that desirable,” he said.
“I think the best option is for the neighbours and downstream users to welcome 12 new families down there with these rules and regulations in place.”
The development also includes a lot that will be retained as a community use space with a no-build covenant to restrict future development of the lot except for washrooms, a picnic shelter and other community amenities.
The development was given third reading on June 24 and council was waiting for Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approval, which they have now received.
The amendment passed in a 4-1 vote with Norma Blissett voting against it.
However, councillors Wayne Steksi and Wes Graham were not in attendance.
Stetski has previously voted against the development while Graham was in favour.
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