A rezoning request to allow for a potential land sale at 21 Ranchlands Blvd and medium high-rise apartment building, has been approved. The city-owned land has been on the market since 2016.--HANDOUT MAP
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Members of the Municipal Planning Commission unanimously approved an application to rezone 21 Ranchlands Blvd. to allow for a mid-rise apartment building that would exceed three storeys.
During a public meeting Wednesday, committee members were provided a presentation on the application to rezone the city-owned 1.1 hectare parcel of land from Neighbourhood Commercial District to Medicine Density Residential District, which would allow the potential developer to exceed the maximum building height of three storeys.
Staff told members of the committee the developer has provided a concept of the building that will include several multi-family residential apartments and may include a commercial component in the future.
“We saw this as an opportunity to realize the value from this land asset where the city would gain the tax assessment growth, the one-time revenue and then also bring new housing options into the Ranchlands neighbourhood,” said Randi Buckner, manager of land and real estate.
The commission unanimously approved the rezoning application, citing the potential for more affordable housing options in Medicine Hat, as well as economic benefits.
“We’re at a point where obviously we’re looking for affordable housing everywhere in the entire country,” said Coun. Ted Clugston. “I think that this is in the best interest, economics, of the City of Medicine Hat going forward, increasing the tax base.”
The parcel of land has been on the market for 10 years since 2016, and although the city has received three prior offers during that period, those offers eventually fell through as all conditions of the sale were not fulfilled.
Last September, city council approved the sale of the parcel to the developer under the former Land and Sales Policy.
According to documents the new high-rise apartment building meets the city’s longstanding planning objective to accommodate growth of non-family households, which are projected to increase by 46 per cent.
To meet this growing demand in Ranchlands, the neighbourhood’s Area Structure Plan designates specific parcels for a density of approximately 50 residential dwelling units per gross one hectare of land.
“A target considered suitable for row housing, garden apartments and mid-rise apartments,” reads the Request for Decision. “Crucially, the policy directs these developments to be located near collector roads to strategically manage traffic flow.”
The rezoning allows the potential sale of the property to move forward by coming before council for approval, undergoing a public hearing and acquiring development and building permits.
Proposals for development and construction of the new apartment building will be reviewed pending council approval. The rezoning bylaw change is expected to come before council for its first reading on April 20 and will be presented for final decision at the May 19 public meeting following the public hearing.
The sale is not finalized, however if all conditions are met on both the city’s end and from the purchaser, a deal could close as early as July.
