With major bylaw reviews and other pressing business already on a list of top priorities, city staff are looking to push an update on unsightly properties the fourth quarter of 2026.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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City staff have requested an extension until the fourth quarter of 2026 to provide council an update on the Unsightly Property Bylaw in order to deal with more pressing matters.
The request was made Thursday by managing director of development and infrastructure, Pat Bohan, during a related city committee meeting. Staff are hoping to focus more on a new Off-Site Levy Bylaw, Land Use Bylaw and several other issues.
“We’ve been absolutely inundated with work and we have a number of major initiatives that do require direct public engagement,” said Bohan, who says a lot of city resources are being tied up to deliver findings to councillors on the Off-Site Levy Bylaw, by as early as the second quarter of 2026.
The city has been actively reviewing and updating the Off-Site Levy Bylaw’s methodology, framework and rates since 2022. The bylaw is used as a mechanism to cover costs from developers for infrastructure for new developments such as roads, water and sewer.
A draft was introduced in September for a new Land Use Bylaw to replace the current bylaw drafted in 2013, but several revisions have occurred since.
“Essentially, there’s a lot of work that goes into some of the bylaws, particularly off-site levy and land use, but then we’ve also been requested by the previous council to look at new bylaws,” explained Bohan. “So with your indulgence, I’d like some more time for us to really do this proper justice and look at the unsightly property bylaw as Q4 2026.”
In 2023 council directed staff and the city solicitor’s office to examine ways to strengthen enforcement power for bylaw officers dealing with complaints about dilapidated buildings.
Airport Master Plan feedback
Coun. Yusuf Mohammed is hopeful Hatters who use the Medicine Hat Regional Airport will take the opportunity to engage in ongoing public consultations.
Mohammed and other members of the development and infrastructure committee received a brief update on feedback being collected on the Airport Master Plan until Feb. 8.
“I want to encourage the public to continue to engage,” said Mohammed. “Now it’s really left to us to just engage, so I want to encourage that to keep on happening.”
The plan will guide the airport’s long-term vision for the nest 20 years and the city is gathering feedback online and at public events.
“What we’re looking for from the public right now is to really understand what are their areas of focus with the airport,” said Bohan. “What services and activities do they prefer at the airport? And then ultimately we can take that and determine areas of focus for the rest of the project.”
The survey and further details on the plan can be found on the Shape Your City website.
