The Free Press, February 20, 2014

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Elkford hosts a weekend in the wild

Snowmobile drag races - Page 2 ARTS

Musical duo visit The Arts Station - Page 11 BUSINESS

Happy Hounds have fun - Page 30

SPORT Elkford held its annual winter celebration, Winter in the Wild, over the weekend. For the full story and more photos, turn to page 3.

Photo by T. Hynd

City rezones lot at Cedar Bowl Place By Tamara Hynd Free Press Staff

Riders finish regular season - Page 23 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2014 Playoffs

T

he City of Fernie has approved the rezoning of two lots in Cedar Bowl Place from P2 (parks and open space) to R1B single detached plus residential. Lot 1, District Lot 4589 has been rezoned from P2 parks and open space to R1B - single detached plus residential. A public hearing was held during the regular council meeting on February 11. Council received four letters and four members of the public spoke to council about

their concerns. Emergency access and egress is a concern because of the neighbouring properties’ steep slope and narrow lane remaining once the two lots are developed, as is continued access to trails for recreational activities such as mountain biking and snowshoeing. Valerie and Gordon Robertson own lots 20 and 24 and in a letter to Council said, “The proposed lot development is immediately adjacent to our two properties and completely eliminates our access to the rear of our two lots and to the trail that require egress to emergency vehicles for Fernie Fire Rescue and

the City of Fernie, ambulance and police. This is unacceptable and in fact a strong reason to object to the zoning change. This has already happened to our citizens on one occasion and here we are without emergency support. This is a situation that the residents would not like to find themselves in again and the City of Fernie would not like to find itself responsible for, we are sure. Egress for emergency vehicles must be made and access available at all times.” Property owner Steven Kelly stated in his letter to Council that the right away was set aside for

emergency access. He also stated that the lot zoned P2 (parks and open space) is one reason he purchased the adjacent lot as he found it to be a desirable place to live. He has also had a right away agreement with BC Hydro since 2010. More residents echoed the green open space as a reason for their land purchase. “The cutline and the lack of homes behind Cedar Bowl Place is one of the reasons we purchased here,” said Al and Jo Williams of #4 Cedar Bowl Place in their letter to Council.

Continued on page 5


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