City council has approved several bylaw amendments that affect intensive livestock operations, leased municipal property, zoning on the exhibition grounds, and the Official Community Plan.
Council gave three unanimous readings to the four amendments during the Aug. 9 regular council meeting. The changes go into effect immediately since there was no council opposition.
Livestock operations
Bylaw No. 5650 amends the zoning bylaw to add a new definition for livestock auction venues, which would exclude auction operations from the intensive livestock operation (ILO) definition.
An ILO was originally defined as, “An operation or facilities for rearing, confinement or feeding of the specific number of Animals Units that would either require a Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, or which is listed in this Bylaw as an existing use which is prohibited from expanding. This shall not include a Livestock Auction Facility.”
This was replaced with a livestock auction venue clause, which states, “An operation or facility for the temporary confinement of animals for auction purposes. The operation may require a Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture as an ILO but is not involved in the feeding of animals for production or growth purposes.”
This amendment occurred because cattle company Jameson, Gilroy, and B&L (JGL) Livestock Ltd. has operated a stockyard on South Hill since 1981 and wants to expand its operations by annexing an adjacent piece of land.
Meanwhile, bylaw no. 5653 amends the Official Community Plan to exempt existing homes within the minimum separation distances of ILOs, if the existing residence is damaged or destroyed by events such as wind, tornado or fire. The owners would be allowed to rebuild their homes at the existing location if they obtain any necessary provincial approvals.
Leased municipal land
Bylaw No. 5651 amends the zoning bylaw to allow for future contract zones at council’s discretion on any municipal land subject to a lease if the lease’s term is longer than 10 years.
This bylaw change is in response to a request from the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company to allow for commercial development on its property.
Bylaw No. 5652 changes the zoning of 250 Thatcher Drive East to CZ contract zoning district from CS community service/institutional district to accommodate a new contract agreement with the exhibition company. Exhibition officials have allowed a fitness-related business, Inner Strength, to set up operations in a building on the grounds.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 23.
