Yorkton Council approved a discretionary use application for 32 Maple Avenue which will see a 7,800 square foot building with the potential of three tenant spaces to be constructed.
"The intent of the (C-1) zoning district is to establish and preserve a central community district that is convenient and aesthetically attractive for a wide range of retail, financial, community, professional and residential uses," explained a report circulated to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
The new building was deemed to fit the established mix.
"The property is surrounded by a mix of land uses, including residential, institutional and commercial and is on the western limit of the City Centre Commercial zoning district," said City Planner Michael Eger. The noise from the neighbouring CP Rail Line, poor visibility from Broadway Street and persistent drainage have impeded redevelopment of the site. The property is also on the fringe of the downtown and does not receive the same pedestrian and vehicular traffic volumes as other downtown properties."
Eger did suggest there are some concerns regarding the proposed development, in particular regarding drainage.
"Poor storm water drainage is a significant concern within this neighbourhood, as evidenced by even relatively minor rainfall events which have created localized flooding. Adding a 7,800-square foot building, paved parking area and compacted gravel parking area will rapidly increase the rate at which storm water is directed to the City's pipe and ditch network, which is already being pushed beyond capacity."
The report to Council Monday noted, "The applicant/owner provided revised plans which established two direct tie-ins to the City's storm sewer. The property is to be contoured on the north south side of the building to collect storm water from the roof and release the water to the storm sewer at a reduced rate."
"The net effect is that the site, as designed, will release storm water to the City's storm sewer network at a similar rate as it would in an undeveloped state," added Egers.
"Additionally, water that is currently directed to the storm sewer via City streets will be directly channelled to the underground pipe network. This will ultimately help to mitigate surface ponding on City streets and neighbouring properties during and after storm events."
When the request came to Council Aug. 20, there were concerns the site was once home to a service station.
"The site was previously in use as a fuel/service station. Site cleanup was performed in 2001, involving excavation of approximately 2,000 cubic metres (70,600 cubic feet) of petroleum contaminated soils and replacement with clean overburden and compacted clay. Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has concluded that the remedial work satisfied Provincial and Federal requirements of the day," said Egers Monday.
