The Jasper National Park realty and development office has issued development permits for a large scale apartment complex on Connaught Drive.

“Parks Canada has issued development permits for construction of two 72-unit rental apartment buildings at 801 Connaught Drive and 821 Connaught Drive (formerly known as Parcel GB) in Jasper,” a December 15 news release reads.

“The two buildings would be mirror images of each other and could be finished as early as 2024.”

Background:

In 2017, Parks Canada and the Jasper Community Housing Corporation (a wholly owned not-for-profit corporation of the Municipality of Jasper) agreed to enable Parcel GB to be released for potential development, with the conditions that the units be high density (more housing), and rentals only, not for purchase. Parks Canada began the process of advertising Parcel GB for purchase across Canada.

In 2019, the agency reduced the asking price from $6.12 million to $5.52 million.

In 2020, a developer entered into an agreement to lease Parcel GB; Parks Canada has been working with them since that time to get to the development permit stage.

In August 2021, Parks Canada approved three variances that the developer was asking for to build the 144-bed complex. One would allow a 3.67 metre increase in roof height (as measured from grade level); another would allow for a 21 per cent reduction in requried parking stalls and a third would allow for smaller apartments than what’s prescribed in Jasper’s Multi-Unit Dwelling district (from 90 m² to 76.38 m²).

In 2021, Jasperite Helen Schwarz circulated a petition opposing the variances.

Also in 2021, to enable the development of new housing, Jasper Municipal Council approved the $7.1 million installation of municipal utility services in the area, including water, sewer and stormwater (deep services). Complete parcel servicing of other utilities (non-municipal), including gas and electricity, is also planned, so the parcel can be ready for development. Parks Canada has said that approximately half the cost will be borne by any projects that are constructed on the parcels.

The review and approval of the proposed variances on Parcel GB followed the established process and procedures set out by Parks Canada, according to a statement.

Watch The Jasper Local for more on this developing story.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com