Making way for medical centre

Yorkton Council amended the City's Zoning Bylaw at its regular meeting Monday to make way for a new medical centre and condominium complex.

The new facility will be built at 16 and 20 Gladstone Avenue South.

"We have two small dwellings on the properties. Both parcels have narrow frontages but are quite deep in comparison to other residential lots," explained City Planner Michael Eger.

"It is intended that both dwellings be removed for the construction of a main floor medical clinic with future retail and second floor residential use."

The Zoning Bylaw needed to be changed to facilitate the project, said Eger.

"The proposed amendment would see the zoning change from R-1 General Residential to C-2 Arterial Commercial. This would provide continuity with the zoning along Broadway Street West, to which these parcels are adjacent," he said.

Eger said the development fits with the long term vision for the area.

"This area is an older area of the community and it is anticipated that it will transition from residential to commercial over time. Gladstone Avenue South is a high volume arterial roadway and this site's proximity to bus routes makes it appealable to older clients of the medical clinic," he said.

Eger said Administration looked at the project as one which will meet a community need.

"Planning Services is also of the opinion that the medical clinic is a benefit to the community and is a desirable use. The proposed location provides convenient access while also transitioning to the residential streetscape along Gladstone Avenue South," he said.

In addition "The application was brought forward to the Planning and Infrastructure Commission at the September 11, meeting. The Commission recommended that Council consider approval of the proposed bylaw," said Eger.

Eger also noted, "The draft Official Community Plan encourages mixed use development that incorporates commercial on the ground floor and residential on the second floor. The proposed development will use existing infrastructure in a built-up area of the community. As such, Planning Services supports the rezoning."