Fernie Snow Valley
Community Association

The following comments were adopted unanimously at the F.S.V.C.A. general meeting on October 2, 1999:

The members of the Association wish to thank the Fernie Ski Hill management for allowing them a voice in the creation of the area Official Community Plan and for being responsive to our concerns. While we believe most of these concerns will be dealt with satisfactorily, we feel it is important to highlight the key points:

• Vision - The draft OCP speaks of a vision of the hallmark mountain lodges of the West and while this is fine it does omit any vision of the existing and emerging residential community that is also a very real part of the area. The majority of both full and part time residents on the ski hill came to the area seeking a measure of wilderness beauty and rural tranquility. We would like to see a statement that future developments would promote a more natural than urban atmosphere, with forested green spaces, natural settings for trails, creeks and drainages where ever possible and increased set backs to promote a more open and green subdivision.
  
  
• Traffic - The Timberline Crescent residents are very concerned about the possibility of having large volumes of traffic from the new subdivision flowing through our residential crescent. In addition to residents of the new subdivision, the potential exists for day use traffic passing through our neighborhood on the way to either the parking lots or the people mover lift. We are willing to have an emergency access road that is normally blocked in some fashion, but consider open access to be unacceptable. The ski hill management has agreed with this position and it is reflected in the OCP, but we have heard rumours that the Ministry of Transportation and Highways is pushing for open access. We wish to reaffirm that we would oppose such a move strenuously. Another access route directly from the highway to the new subdivision, bypassing the existing subdivisions, would be very desirable.
  
  
• Ski Hill Road Intersection - The OCP identifies a problem with traffic exiting the ski hill area on busy days. We would like to stress that this problem is indeed becoming serious and remediation efforts are needed sooner, rather than later.
  
  
• Trails - The recreational use of motorized vehicles should be banned on the trails within the residential areas.
  
  
• Carrying capacity - The head count numbers in the OCP appear low to us given the loadings we have seen in the past, but we have been assured that utility services, parking and traffic designs will in fact meet the actual loads. We accept that but would ask that the actual loadings be monitored carefully so any potential problems are identified early.
  
  
• In fill lots - These lots were not in the original prospectus and are on land that the purchasers of neighboring lots were assured were unbuildable due to the steep slopes. In some cases there neighboring lots were priced higher because of their isolation and neighboring forest lots. These owners are understandably upset by the apparent change in rules and violation of the original prospectus. In addition the introduction of in fill lots could have a negative impact on subdivision property values and reduce the available green space. The Association supports these owners and shares their concerns and would therefore like to see these lots dropped from the OCP.
  
  
• Prospectus enforcement - While design guidelines were established for the Highline subdivision, the Association does not feel they were well enforced during the development stage. The ski hill management has acknowledged this and vows to have a better system in place for future developments, which would include reviews by development professionals for compliance with the guidelines and consideration of how well adjacent designs compliment each other and the neighborhood as a whole. The Association strongly supports these plans and encourages diligence in their implementation.
  
  
• Construction Impact - During construction all efforts should be made to minimize the noise, dust, traffic and other impacts on the existing residents.