A developer wants to create a large commercial subdivision in the Rural Municipality of Moose Jaw, but city council wants the RM to pause the project for further discussions.
The RM wants to amend the zoning bylaw so that the affected land — SE 13-17-27 W2 adjacent to Highway 1 near 16th Avenue Northwest — can be rezoned to Prestige Highway Commercial/Industrial from Agriculture Resource.
The organization issued a notice of intention to amend the bylaw in October 2020 to develop a 10-acre subdivision for a livestock equipment sales operation. The RM issued a second notice of intention a year later to develop a 20-acre subdivision for an agriculture equipment sales operation.
City council discussed the issue behind closed doors during its June 27 executive committee meeting before approving a five-part recommendation.
That recommendation urged the RM of Moose Jaw to:
- Consider a light industrial district zoning with larger lots rather than the PHC zoning
- Table the proposal until both parties can discuss it
- Encourage the property owner to apply for and receive approval from city council for water connections through the city’s water co-op system
- Place a buffer zone on the east end of the proposed development to separate future residential developments within Moose Jaw
- Enter into a discussion about a proposed planning district between both parties
City council officially approved the recommendation as a motion while accepting the executive committee meeting minutes during its July 11 regular meeting.
City manager Jim Puffalt explained to the Moose Jaw Express that the developer wants to create a 40-lot subdivision near the City of Moose Jaw boundaries, which council thought could create competition for the Grayson Industrial Park.
“We thought it was important that we have the discussion with the RM about that,” he said.
City hall received word about the project at the end of June, after the provincial government’s community planning, land use and development office contacted the municipality about the proposed initiative, the city manager continued. The office informed city hall that the project was occurring adjacent to city boundaries and encouraged municipal officials to provide comments about it.
“We reviewed it and we wanted to make sure those comments got in front of RM council at their public hearing (on either July 13 or 14),” Puffalt said.
The water aspect of the project seemed “nebulous” to city hall because it sounded as if the developer was talking to one of the area water co-operatives, he continued. However, city council must approve any connections to the system.
Puffalt added that he was unsure what the outcome of the public hearing was, while he was also unsure if the RM council had tabled the matter.
The Express contacted the RM office but could not acquire an answer since the administrator was on vacation.
Fire agreement
During the June 27 executive committee, council also voted to authorize the city clerk and mayor to sign a fire protection and rescue services amending agreement with the RM of Moose Jaw.
Puffalt explained that this agreement is a renegotiation since it was originally an assessment-based process, where costs sometimes increased substantially and unpredictably, making it difficult for the RM to budget. Instead, the agreement is now based upon the city’s mill rate and the percentage increase of that rate.
The agreement is for five years and roughly $140,000 per year.
Advisory board appointments
Also during the executive committee meeting, council voted to appoint Sarah Vennes-Ouellet to the Moose Jaw Public Library board for a term commencing immediately and concluding on Dec. 31 and/or until a successor is appointed.
Council also voted to appoint Vennes-Ouellet to the Palliser Regional Library board for a term commencing immediately and concluding Dec. 31, 2023, and/or until a successor is appointed.
