Editorial Comment on Cranbrook Reduces Carbon Emissions

 I am certainly encouraged by the CAIRP (Climate Action Revenue Incentive Report)  regarding the City of Cranbrook's efforts to reduce our Green House Gas Emissions. However one of the fundamental  issues in our commitment to the Carbon Action Charter (CAC) is to  produce compact municipalities or in other words; preventing sprawl.  Given the City of Cranbrook's support for the  East Hill expansion and Shadow Mountain, it seems impossible that the City is able to meet is commitment to the CAC. By keeping Development Cost Charges at rates which do not cover the City's expenses to provide services, we only encourage this type of development which is becoming increasingly unaffordable for municipalities across North America. The direction in urban design towards more compact, higher density housing is driven by several facts. Primarily, it costs more for cities to service larger areas and many cities, including ours, have to face tough economic realities.  If the City of Cranbrook is serious about its commitment to the Carbon Action Charter then it will encourage the type of development that prevents sprawl. We can no longer afford it.