Council defers decision on RMR zoning amendment request

Revelstoke city councillors voted unanimously to defer a decision regarding Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s zoning amendment application, following a public hearing at a special council meeting on Tuesday. A motion put forward by Mayor Gary Sulz asked “that Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2345 be deferred, and that staff be directed to work with the applicant to complete any necessary amendments to address concerns related to the application.”

Prior to the start of the public hearing, RMR’s vice president of operations Peter Nielsen gave a brief presentation, highlighting conversations resort staff had with the community during an open house on March 28. Approximately 200 people attended.

“There was a lot of dialogue, a lot of conversation,” Nielsen said of the open house. “The purpose of the open house was to create discussion and it was quite effective.”

Some of the key findings from the open house were:

• Confusion over what the bylaw amendment meant
• Concern over how the proposed density shift compares to Mackenzie Village
• Concerns about impacts to the environment
• Concern over an increase in resort traffic along Nichol Road, Airport Way, and Shiell Road as well as trail networks and connectivity
• Feedback from residents who wanted assurance of no short-term rentals in community development lands

“[RMR] would be very supportive of a moratorium on short-term rentals in the entire Arrow Heights neighbourhood,” Nielsen remarked during the presentation.

Following Nielsen’s presentation, Mayor Gary Sulz opened the public hearing. Several people, including former mayor Mark McKee, spoke in favour of the resorts request for zoning amendment.

“This is a natural evolution, and I don’t think there is anyone in the community who would say we don’t want the best resort. It is market driven. Markets change,” said McKee.

Mike Forest, the lone person to give a dissenting voice to the proposed bylaw amendment during the public hearing, noted concerns over density, changes in storey clause that would see buildings of more than two storeys, and a lack of planning to address increased sewer and water use.

“It’s not reflective of the neighbourhood and I am not supportive of it,” said Forest.

According to Revelstoke CAO Evan Parliament, the proposed amendment is complex due the history, different resort owners over the years, and working with a new Official Community Plan, but a very dated zoning bylaw.

“It’s not easy because there’s lots of stakeholders. We’ve had lots of staff input, staff recommendations.  We’ve had legal opinions. We’ve consulted with our municipal lawyers,” said Parliament.

Councillor Aaron Orlando, who had previously declared a conflict of interest, was absent from the meeting.

Council will discuss next steps in having staff work with RMR at its regular council meeting on Tuesday, April 11.