Amendments are coming to Moose Jaw’s zoning bylaw to modernize the regulations, update the language and improve descriptions of areas like floodways, easements, slump hazards and zoning map uses.
City council unanimously approved a recommendation during its March 22 executive committee meeting to have city administration proceed with the bylaw amendments and prepare a public notice about the proposed changes. City hall submitted the proposed amendments based on public feedback and best practices implemented in other municipalities.
City administration plans to bring forward the amendments by April 26, which is when the changes could become official.
New updates
City administration identified corrections, clarifications, and improvements necessary to ensure the zoning bylaw remains relevant and practical, a council report explained. The changes improve the implementation of the regulations and better align the wording with the purpose and intent.
While city hall completed similar housekeeping amendments to the zoning bylaw in 2019, the report noted that both the bylaw and the Official Community Plan are more than 10 years old and should be replaced.
Council discussion
There are plenty of updates to the policy, Coun. Crystal Froese said, but one that caught her eye was about the outdoor storage and collection of garbage since the proposed policy states that collection areas must be provided for all multi-unit residential, commercial or industrial development.
Froese wondered if this affected property owners with multiple units in a home.
These standards only apply to new developments since anything with three or more dwellings is considered multi-unit, explained Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development. City hall has the discretion to work with property owners about providing a space for garbage pick-up.
Report highlights
City administration highlighted some bylaw changes, such as floodways, slump hazard overlays, easements, and zoning maps.
Floodway
Provincial legislation prohibits new buildings and additions in floodways with one-in-500-year flood areas; Moose Jaw’s current zoning bylaw is not in compliance, the report explained. The proposed changes — which would agree with the Water Security Agency — would further restrict any property improvements that obstruct the flow of water.
Slump hazard overlay
City administration has received feedback that purchasers of property near slump hazards are often unaware of the slope instability, the report said. The updates will ensure that an interest will be registered on the property title to alert future buyers of the instability when permits are issued in these areas.
“The property owners selling the land shall bear the cost of the registration at the time of permit approval,” the report added.
Easements
As part of the review process for new structures, city hall will now perform a property title search to check for easements that could affect the proposed structures, the report said.
Previously, property owners were responsible for locating the easement and ensuring buildings did not infringe. Property owners have informed city hall that they were unaware it was their responsibility to locate easements and depended upon the city’s review process to ensure the proposed location was acceptable.
Map amendments
City administration also identified four areas that could be rezoned but are not part of the current changes:
- Main Street North from Oxford Street East to Saskatchewan Street East
- River Street West from Second Avenue Northwest to Third Avenue Northwest
- Core industrial area from Fifth Avenue Northwest to Ninth Avenue Northwest
- Caribou Street West from Second Avenue Northwest to Fifth Avenue Northwest
The next executive committee meeting is Monday, April 12.
