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Consolidation of River Street properties to support hotel project

The plan includes the surface consolidation of several parcels and lots and the removal of a connection to other parcels.

MOOSE JAW — Separate pieces of land on River Street West will soon become two large lots, as developers of the proposed Hilton Hotel project continue to push forward with their project.

During its July 28 regular meeting, city council voted 5-0 to approve River Street Development Corp.’s plan of proposed subdivision for 76 River Street West and 48 River Street West, as long as the subdivision review process concludes without any negative comments from nearby landowners.

The plan includes the surface consolidation of several parcels and lots and the removal of a connection to other parcels.

Once city hall is satisfied that the company meets the review process condition, the mayor and city clerk will sign the certificate of approval.

Mayor James Murdock did not vote and excused himself from the room because he has financial connections to the corporation. Also, Coun. Jamey Logan was absent.

A council report said the corporation is proposing to subdivide and consolidate a portion of a street parcel with adjacent lots to create one new, larger lot totalling 0.35 hectares (0.86 acres) on the north side. The remainder of the parcel will be consolidated with the existing street parcel located on the westerly portion of River Street West.

Also, the company has requested the removal of a connection between two parcels that will result in a standalone lot on the south side of River Street West, totalling 0.203 hectares (0.5 acres), the report continued.

The affected lands are vacant and have been temporarily used for event parking, while the subdivision request will correct the legal lot lines, so they align with the existing physical layout, the report said.

The hotel project complies with the Official Community Plan, while the property is zoned as high-density commercial and is within the heritage overlay district, said the report. The zoning accommodates a wide range of commercial, institutional and residential uses in a high-density form.

Furthermore, the intended use of the newly proposed lot D — a hotel — is permitted within the C2 district, and both the proposed lot and existing parcel meet the minimum site frontage requirements of 7.5 metres and site area of 230 square metres, the document continued.

The report added that the corporation has paid the subdivision application fee of $840.

Background info

This is not the first time council has approved changes to River Street West as part of this proposed project.

During its July 14 regular meeting, city council gave three unanimous readings to Bylaw No. 5739, street closure bylaw, which closed all of block/parcel S1, Plan 102065532, Extension 0. This facilitated the subdivision, sale and consolidation of the street and returned it to the original adjoining parcels; the land — lots 32 to 34 — is not required for traffic.

River Street Development Corp. purchased a chunk of the 0 block of River Street West on the north side for $1. This “bulb out,” as city administration described it, is 0.024 hectares (0.06 acres) in size and was originally intended as a turnaround for a previous hotel development that never materialized.

The municipality had no use for the parcel, which was not used as a road and served no function. The corporation acquired some of the land, while a portion of the road will remain as part of River Street, vested with the Crown, and the city will confirm the final boundaries through a legal survey.

Also, the city will preserve or protect any utilities through registered easements.

Also, in March 2024, council approved administration’s application to subdivide the west 150 feet of the 0 block of River Street West from the corporation's adjacent property and pay the company $290,000.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 11.

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