Bylaw opens door for former Coleman school

Council advances land use change after hearing support for boutique accommodation concept

A land use bylaw amendment aimed at creating a new accommodation category for historic buildings moved ahead Tuesday night, giving a boost to a proposal tied to the former Coleman school.

Crowsnest Pass council held a public hearing on Bylaw 1265, 2026, then later voted to give the measure second reading. The amendment would create a new land use definition called “Historic Auberge” and add it as a discretionary use in the High-Density Residential R 3 district.

Administration said the change is intended to fill a gap in the current land use bylaw by creating a path for unique accommodation projects in buildings that are already rec- ognized for their heritage value.

Deputy CAO Kristin Colucci said the new use is narrowly defined and would only apply in limited circumstances.

“The eligibility for historical barge is intentionally limited,” she said. “A lot of buildings would not qualify for this because you need to be historic resource, either municipal or provincially.”

Colucci said the proposed addition would permit both short term and long term rental accommodations with a maximum of 25 accommodation units. Parking requirements would be based on the number of beds. She added that other existing uses in the bylaw do not properly fit this type of project.

“Historic Auberge fits a need that other existing uses do not want to use by-law,” she said.

During the public hearing, Bruce Miller spoke in favour of the amendment and linked it directly to a redevelopment concept for the former Coleman school in west Coleman.

“This will enable you to continue forward with some plans to change the Coleman School in West Coleman into a boutique or tech,” Miller said.

He told council the proponents have already been working with an architect and are preparing to bring forward a development permit application if the bylaw change is approved in time.

“We’ve been working with an architect for a while, and should council like to make this a discretionary use before the end of May, we’ll come forward with the development permit,” he said.

Miller also noted that any future development permit process would still involve public input.

“That development permit, as I understand, would be providing the public for com- ment as well,” he said.

No one spoke against the bylaw at the public hearing and administration said no written submissions had been received either for or against the proposal.

When the item returned later in the meeting for second reading, councillors spoke positively about the concept. Councillor Tony Vastenhout said, “I think it’s great,” while Councillor Dean Ward added, “I’m great with this.”

The proposed land use definition, included in the meeting package, describes a His- toric Auberge as an existing building listed within the Municipal Heritage Inventory Project or located within the federally designated Coleman National Historic Site of Canada, provided it is also designated as either a Provincial Historic Resource or a Municipal Historic Resource.

The use would allow rooms or suites for short term or long term accommodation, along with shared kitchens, common areas and supporting services not open to the public.

If eventually adopted, the bylaw would create a new path for heritage based ac- commodation in a community where tourism, redevelopment and preserving historic buildngs are often closely connected.