Split vote OKs controversial rezoning

By Jeremy Appel on December 18, 2018.

Jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

Medicine Hat city council has voted in favour of a contentious rezoning in the Connaught neighbourhood that would allow for green space to be converted to a residential development.

The second reading of the required amendment to the Land-use Bylaw passed 6-3 Monday, with Mayor Ted Clugston, as well as councillors Robert Dumanowski and Julie Friesen, opposed.

The location in question, currently zoned as open space, is located at 352 Primrose Dr., near the intersection with College Drive. It needs to be re-zoned to medium-density residential to go forward with the development.

Council chambers were jam-packed with about 200 Hatters who came to express concerns with the proposal.

“This is the most people in the gallery I’ve seen in my 11 years I’ve been here,” observed Clugston prior to the vote.

Coun. Jamie McIntosh received jeers from the gallery when he spoke in favour of the amendment.

“If we choose tonight to not go down this path and not support this change, we’re basically saying no to any proposal coming forward,” he said.

Ten people made their case to council as to why they believe the development should or shouldn’t move forward.

The only presenter in favour of re-zoning was Cam Ens of Newrock Development, who wants to convert the space into a series of 24 bungalows for seniors.

“No other type of development would interest Newrock at this time,” he said.

Connaught resident Barbara Taylor said the location serves as a valued “linear park” for the community, despite its open space classification, which she called “deliberately misleading.”

In a presentation to council earlier in the evening, general manager of planning Kent Snyder said the location “doesn’t have any legal designation as a park.”

Taylor says given the proposed development’s proximity to Medicine Hat College, it will have an especially significant impact on local traffic, posing a particular danger to local cyclists.

“The present bike lane that shares its lane with ever-increasing traffic along College Drive is incredibly dangerous,” she said. “Hopefully, no one has to be injured or worse before council addresses the promises made in the Connaught linear park signage of safer pathways.”

Bill Olson, another vocal critic, cited the issue of traffic as the “most prominent concern” for development opponents.

Another resident decried what he sees as a lack of transparency on the city’s part.

“If this bylaw is passed, nobody can say what will be put in that building on that lot,” said Lou O’Reilly.

Medium-density residential zoning means the space would be open to townhouses. Apartments, duplexes and backyard suites are discretionary, meaning they would require a hearing with the Municipal Development Committee before they proceed.

“Real or unreal, there’s been a concern that council is too close with major developers in the city,” said O’Reilly.

Friesen said she was opposing the amendment primarily due to the will of her constituents, who don’t want to lose their green space forever.

“What I see here is an absolutely overwhelming number of people in your small community who are opposed to this and we are not listening,” said Friesen.

“I believe we are (not only) morally bound, but part of our job is to listen to you and consider carefully what you have to say.”

Dumanowski said that although city council has an “open-for-business attitude,” it must also take public opinion into account.

“The citizens of this area have spoken and the very clear answer is a resounding, big and emphatic, ‘No’,” he said.

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