Community Concerns Regarding the Proposed 74-Unit Campground Adjacent to Rundle View, Carey/Homestead, Prospect and Peaks of Grassi Neighbourhoods

This document summarizes planning and policy concerns raised by nearby residents regarding a proposal for a 74-site campground on privately owned land adjacent to the Peaks of Grassi neighbourhood in Canmore, Alberta. It is intended to be shared with residents and forwarded to Town Council and planning staff as a credible, community-driven submission.

Key Community Concerns

The following concerns relate to expected land-use impacts that commonly arise when high-turnover, outdoor-activity accommodation uses are located directly beside established residential areas.

1) Compatibility with adjacent residential neighbourhood

• A campground is a transient, outdoor-activity use with different noise, smoke, and evening activity patterns than housing.
• Residents are concerned the proposed campground does not provide an appropriate transition to adjacent homes.

2) Scale and intensity of a 74-site campground

• A 74-site facility can concentrate a large number of visitors, vehicles, and evening outdoor activity in one location.
• Residents are concerned the intensity is disproportionate beside a residential neighbourhood.

3) Wildfire interface risk and fire safety

• Campgrounds typically include open flame sources (campfires, outdoor cooking).
• Residents request clear information on wildfire interface risk management, restrictions, and emergency response planning.

4) Campfire smoke impacts

• Smoke can affect patios, yards, and indoor air quality, especially in the evenings when residents rely on open windows.
• Residents request clarity on whether campfires are permitted, how smoke impacts will be controlled, and what enforcement will exist.

5) Noise and late-night activity

• Evening gatherings, music, and late arrivals/departures are common at campgrounds.
• Residents request enforceable quiet hours, layout design that limits noise spillover, and on-site management requirements.

6) Transient visitor turnover and neighbourhood safety

• High turnover of short-term visitors can create different safety dynamics compared to stable residential occupancy.
• Residents request clear controls for pedestrian circulation, lighting, boundaries, and supervision or management.

7) Traffic, access, and parking spillover

• Increased vehicle traffic and parking demand can spill into nearby streets, especially at peak times.
• Residents request a traffic and parking assessment with practical, enforceable mitigations.

8) Garbage management and wildlife conflict risks

• Food and waste attract wildlife; campgrounds can increase the likelihood of bear and wildlife conflicts near homes.
• Residents request wildlife-secure waste systems, operational requirements, and enforcement details.

9) Increased pressure on trails and nearby recreation assets

• Additional visitors can increase pressure on trail capacity, parking, and lake access infrastructure.
• Residents request a capacity assessment and mitigation plan including parking, signage, and stewardship.

10) Buffering and setback adequacy

• Residents request clear buffering standards between campground uses and homes, including vegetation, fencing, lighting controls, and setbacks.

Relevant Policy

Town of Canmore: role of the Land Use Bylaw

“The Land Use Bylaw directs the town’s form and use, and helps Canmore work towards its Municipal Development Plan (MDP) vision.”

Source: https://www.canmore.ca/your-community/planning/lub

Town of Canmore: FireSmart / wildfire mitigation planning

“The updated Wildfire Mitigation Strategy provides a road map for FireSmart activities from 2018 - 2022…”

Source: https://www.canmore.ca/your-community/public-safety/fireservices/firesmart

Open Space Development Guidelines: compatibility and impacts

“Compatibility with adjacent land uses is a strong determinant… Noise levels, traffic, and lighting…”

Source: https://www.canmore.ca/public/download/files/232764

Zoning and “permitted vs discretionary”

“Among other things, a land use bylaw must set out the permitted uses and the discretionary uses…”

Source: https://cirl.ca/sites/default/files/teams/1/Occasional%20Papers/Occasional%20Paper%20%2383.pdf

Key Questions for the Town of Canmore

A) Zoning and decision authority

• What is the Land Use District (zoning) for the subject parcel? Please provide the map reference and district name.
• Is a campground a permitted use or discretionary use in that district? Please cite the specific clause(s).
• If discretionary, what criteria is the Town applying to evaluate compatibility with adjacent residential uses?

B) Design, intensity, and operational model

• Why is a 74-site overnight campground (a high-turnover accommodation use) being proposed immediately adjacent to established homes?
• What alternatives on this parcel were evaluated to improve compatibility (reduced site count, different layout, changed access, increased buffering)?

C) Mitigation measures

• Noise: What quiet hours, enforcement mechanisms, and layout/design measures are proposed?
• Fire and smoke: Are campfires allowed? What restrictions and enforcement are proposed?
• Traffic and parking: What traffic assessment will be completed and what prevents spillover parking?
• Wildlife: What wildlife-secure waste systems and operational rules will apply?
• Buffering: What setbacks, screening, lighting controls, and physical barriers will separate campground activity from homes?

D) Cumulative recreation pressure

• Has the Town assessed trail and parking capacity impacts associated with increased visitation from this development?
• What mitigation will prevent additional congestion and spillover at nearby recreational access points?

Community Requests

Residents of the Peaks of Grassi neighbourhood request that the Town of Canmore treat this application as a major compatibility issue and ensure decisions are demonstrably aligned with planning policy, wildfire-risk management, and neighbourhood livability.

• Confirm the parcel’s zoning and whether the proposed campground use is permitted or discretionary.
• Require a compatibility-focused redesign if the proposal proceeds.
• Require a wildfire interface risk review appropriate to a campground adjacent to homes.
• Require a traffic and parking assessment and enforceable controls.
• Require wildlife-secure waste systems and an operational plan.
• Provide meaningful public consultation with affected residents.

How Residents Can Participate

1) Submit a written comment

• Send a short letter to Council and planning staff referencing the questions above.
• Ask for written answers on zoning classification, permitted or discretionary status, and mitigation measures.

2) Attend hearings or meetings

• Watch for agenda postings and public hearing notices.
• Bring a printed version of this briefing if speaking.

3) Coordinate as a neighbourhood

• Use consistent language: compatibility, intensity, wildfire interface, buffering, enforceable mitigation.
• Avoid personal attacks on the applicant. Focus on impacts and policy alignment.

4) Share this document

• Share the web link once published.
• Encourage residents to submit individual comments.

Sources

1. https://www.canmore.ca/your-community/planning/lub
2. https://www.canmore.ca/your-community/public-safety/fireservices/firesmart
3. https://www.canmore.ca/public/download/files/232764
4. https://cirl.ca/sites/default/files/teams/1/Occasional%20Papers/Occasional%20Paper%20%2383.pdf