City council meets for its first general meeting of the new year Monday and will vote on two rezoning requests, one of which is facing opposition from neighbours.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
During its first regular meeting of 2026, city councillors are expected to vote on rezoning changes that would allow the development of new multi-dwellings homes in Southlands.
New Tab Homes is seeking council to approve a request to rezone four sites of vacant parcels from low density residential to medium density residential along Southlands Drive and Somerside Crescent.
The city has characterized Southlands as predominantly low-density residential with various housing types, parks, schools, churches and small commercial.
In total there are four sites along Southland Drive, 5366/5368, 5377/5379, 5271/5373, as well as 308/310 Somerside Crescent.
The developer is planning to build semi-detached housing with basement suites for 16 ‘dwellings’ with 37 on- and off-street parking stalls.
The city has received seven written submissions from neighbours citing concerns over increased parking and traffic pressure, impacts on property value, strain on city infrastructure and congestion with existing duplexes and apartments.
On Monday, councillors will consider those concerns during two public presentations that will include planner Justin van der Merew and the city’s superintendent of planning before voting on the rezone change.
Councillors will also vote on a request to rezone a portion of the Harlow neighbourhood from mixed use to medium density to allow a potential development of one or two-storey homes on a vacant plot of land.
The decision would allow development at 1064 First Street SW, making way for single detached houses, attached houses, duplexes, secondary suites and backyard suites on the land.
Council is also expected to direct staff to provide a complete list of outstanding and upcoming budget capital projects in 2026 to be ready for its next public meeting on Jan. 19.
