Another step toward new apartments

Yorkton Council gave second and third reading to an amendment to the City Zoning Bylaw which could pave the way for construction of a new apartment complex.

Planning Services had received a request for rezoning 295 Bradbrooke Drive from C-4 Neighbourhood Commercial to R-3 Medium Density.

"The amendment has been requested to allow for construction of a four-storey apartment dwelling. The owner has provided preliminary plans for a 33-unit, modularly constructed dwelling," said explained City Planner Michael Eger at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday. "The units would be developed primarily as bachelor suites, with floor areas of either 320 sq ft or 512 sq ft. The owner intends to have the modular units constructed in a factory based in Boise, Idaho before shipping to Yorkton for on-site assembly."

The property is currently vacant and is situated between a three-storey apartment dwelling to the west and a professional/medical office to the east.

"The current zoning allows for development of smaller commercial operations, including apartments with main floor commercial activity. Given the proximity of this site to the regional health centre, this would be the highest and best use of the property. However, there has been minimal interest from developers to acquire these lands for neighbourhood commercial use," said Eger.

The amendment had received first reading at the May 13 meeting of Council after which it was sent to the Public Notice Process.

That process resulted in one person appearing before Council Monday with concerns.

"I am strongly opposed to changing the bylaw," area resident Joyce McNeill told Council.

McNeill said with existing apartments, hospital and nearby school the traffic levels in the area of the development are already high enough, as is the residential density.

Councillor Ross Fisher said as a city grows residential density increases as developers look to reduce per unit costs. He called higher density as "inevitable."

Council was unanimous in passing second and third readings of the amendment.