A public hearing is planned for Sept. 29 on the development of a permanent homeless shelter located at 2055 Saamis Dr. NW (pictured) along the outskirts of the city. Committee members heard the community overnight shelter will also provide food and social services.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
During a public meeting Wednesday afternoon, city committee members were provided more information about a new permanent homeless shelter and its potential location along the city’s outskirts more than five kilometres away from the downtown core.
Senior city planner Brad Irwin presented a rezoning proposal to change 2055 Saamis Dr. NW, located off the Trans-Canada Highway near the Brier Industrial Estates, to a direct control district that would allow the city to accommodate a community shelter with social and food services to the city’s vulnerable population.
“This includes things such as daytime and nighttime accommodations, food preparations and meal services and health and wellness programs,” explained Irwin.
The proposed site is currently zoned as highway commercial use and would need to be changed before the development of social services like the community shelter, community social services and community food services could occur.
“So three separate uses for this site, for this application,” said Irwin, who provided committee clarity on the definitions for the proposed use of the site.
“The purpose uses include a community shelter for emergency overnight accommodation for individuals experiencing homelessness. Approval of the development permit application would allow overnight and daytime accommodation,” said Irwin.
The location would also be used for a community food service, which is currently temporarily operated from the Mustard Seed’s community kitchen on Allowance Avenue and recently received an 180-day operation permit extension to ensure it can serve the community through the Holiday Season.
“(The goal is) to provide services to address the insecurity, availability, accessibility and adequacy of food for the community,” said Irwin. “A typical accessory use may include, but is not limited to, food serves, staff officers, indoor and outdoor storage areas, training and instruction in food preparation, nutrition, gardening, home economics and other similar activities.”
The third use of the site would be to develop both professional and non-profit social services at the site on an outpatient basis only.
“This includes, but is not limited to, social services related to immigration, employment and life skills, prenatal family planning, youth outreach, addiction and harm reduction, mental health, disability and other similar services.”
The city is also seeking to add a six-foot fence along the perimeter of the property that would include one entry gate from Saamis Drive and the addition of accessory structures such as portable washrooms and shipping containers for additional storage.
“For this proposal, the key consideration is how it may affect nearby properties and what steps can be taken to address potential conflicts under the direct control designation,” explains Irwin.
The site is located directly beside the Flying J Travel Centre and Shell gas station, a popular location for long-haul truck drivers to spend the night.
Committee members also learned the shelter will not be used for supervised consumption.
Moving forward, a public hearing will be held Sept. 29 ahead of second and third bylaw readings and a council vote on the rezoning of the location.
If successful, a development permit will be brought before council during its final public meeting on Oct. 6.
