Editor's note: This article has been updated to include comments from Mayor Clive Tolley.
Coun. Kim Robinson initially favoured rezoning 476 Stadacona Street East to allow for a five-unit townhouse but changed his mind after reviewing the site and speaking with area residents.
Robinson was one of four council members who voted against rezoning that lot to R2 medium-density residential district from R1 large-lot low-density residential district during the Sept. 11 regular meeting.
Council had already approved the first two readings of the zoning bylaw change — Robinson was in favour both times — during its Aug. 14 meeting. However, presentations from two area homeowners and the presence of dozens of residents were likely some factors that persuaded enough of council to vote against the change during the third reading at the September meeting.
Council voted 4-3 against amending the bylaw; in favour were councillors Heather Eby, Dawn Luhning and Jamey Logan. Opposed were councillors Doug Blanc, Crystal Froese, Robinson and Mayor Clive Tolley.
“I think I had a little more time to review the information and had the chance to drive by. And I just didn’t feel the lot was suitable for a development of that size,” Robinson said after the meeting.
Initially, he thought if the changes were within the bylaws, then council should support it. However, he didn’t think the lot was a good spot for the development — which hinged on council changing the zoning.
“And I was concerned about the safety of the kids and the dart-out factor,” he added. “I thought Mr. (Jamie) Wallace did a good job of presenting his case, so that’s why I changed my mind.”
Council should have an open mind and be willing to change its stance for the betterment of residents, Robinson said. This decision may scare away future development, but he believed the city needed to define its development rules and stick to them.
“I think as Mr. Wallace alluded to, the developer could maybe size down and still have a very nice development there,” the councillor added. “I still firmly believe Moose Jaw is a great place for any developer … . I think to see the east side get spruced up a bit with a development, that would help increase property values.”
In a separate interview, Tolley said all councillors must consider what’s logical and determine how best to vote on an issue. Moreover, they had to “weigh and measure” area residents’ concerns versus welcoming development to Moose Jaw.
“The residents were loud and clear: they didn’t want this development on their block. So … my decision then went with the residents,” he said.
The mayor added that council wants development, so he hoped the developer could find another spot to construct the townhouse, preferably in an already-zoned R2 location or a spot that’s more adaptable to becoming R2.
When the issue first reached council’s table, Tolley visited the site and spoke with area residents, with many saying they didn’t want the project because parking was already a problem and the building’s look wouldn’t fit into the neighbourhood.
“They won me over in terms of their emotion about not having something in their block that didn’t fit with what they believe … ,” he said.
Tolley acknowledged that he struggled with the decision because Moose Jaw needs housing, especially since the sow processing plant and Brandt Industries have expanded their operations. While new apartments in West Park will solve some issues, he wants to support other housing initiatives that arise.
“I think the city’s job is to facilitate growth. Specific projects are up to realtors and developers and businesspeople and contractors,” Tolley continued. “I don’t want to stick city hall’s nose into that kind of thing. We want free enterprise to take over.”
He added that he hoped the developer could find a new lot for the project.
During the meeting, Froese said she had had time since the August meeting to consider more information about the project, visit the property and speak with residents. She concluded that this property should remain R1 since the space is too small for this development and the neighbourhood is filled with older homes.
Furthermore, she agreed with Wallace that the new townhouse would contribute to parking problems and should go to another area.
Even though city hall is still developing a new Official Community Plan, this issue raised concerns for Froese about a project’s design components and how it could affect the characteristics of existing older neighbourhoods.
She pointed to the avenues and downtown as places where council wants to maintain their historic looks and continuity.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Sept. 25.
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