Council calls for Highway 3 safety review

Crowsnest Pass council approved a request for a provincial safety review of Highway 3 through Coleman and will invite Elk Valley Resources to discuss mine operations and their potential local effects.

The motions were among several decisions made at council’s Sept. 15 meeting.

Highway 3 review requested

Council directed administration to ask Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors for a traffic safety review of Highway 3 through the Coleman business area, from Remedy’sRx to Crowsnest Consolidated High School.

Mayor Pat Rypien’s motion asks for attention to speeding and unsafe passing, turning and passing lanes, pedestrian crossings, seniors travelling between Peaks to Pines and nearby businesses and students walking to and from the high school.

Administration is to report the province’s findings and recommendations for short-term and long-term improvements back to council.

EVR invited to address council

Council directed administration to draft a letter inviting Elk Valley Resources to make a presentation to council as soon as possible.

Coun. Doreen Johnson raised the issue after an announced move to a seven-days-on, seven-days-off schedule at Fording River beginning in 2027. She said longer rotations could change local housing demand by making it easier for workers’ families to live elsewhere while employees use temporary shift accommodation in Crowsnest Pass.

Coun. Dean Ward said Teck previously provided council updates and participated in a communities-of-interest committee, but that communication has not continued in recent years. Council’s motion asks EVR for a presentation but does not take a position on the proposed work schedule, which Ward noted is also a collective bargaining matter.

Council supports wildlife-corridor sign

Council voted to support proposed signage for the Jim Prentice Wildlife Corridor after a request from the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Ward said his understanding was that the organization wanted municipal support for the sign, not a financial contribution.

Housing-site rezoning starts public process

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 1272, 2026, which would redesignate Block OT, Plan 5186FA from Recreation and Open Space to Public.

The land is owned by the Alberta Social Housing Corporation. Administration said the change would bring existing public and institutional uses into compliance and support a future subdivision. The Public district would also allow applications for a seniors supportive housing facility or similar development.

First reading begins the public consultation process. A public hearing and further council readings are still required before the rezoning can take effect.

Unused road allowance closed

Council gave second and third readings to Bylaw 1250, 2025, closing 0.14 hectares of undeveloped road allowance near 20971 7 Avenue.

The land is to be consolidated with adjacent property as part of a boundary adjustment. The allowance has been fenced and used as horse pasture and administration said it is unlikely to be needed for public access.

No concerns were received from adjacent landowners or referral agencies at a May 5 public hearing. The minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors approved the closure in July, allowing council to complete the bylaw process.

Derelict-property tax idea remains under review

Council received information for further follow-up on whether a separate property-tax subclass could be used for derelict residential and commercial properties.

Johnson said she planned to gather information from other municipalities and could bring forward a future motion. Chief administrative officer Patrick Thomas cautioned that provincial rules strictly limit tax subclasses and that municipalities testing broader definitions could face legal challenges.

Council did not create a new tax subclass at the meeting.

Municipality declines proclamation request

Council directed administration to tell National Resilience Day organizers that the municipality does not generally issue proclamations, while thanking them for the information and saying the request could be considered next year.