What are allowable businesses in the City’s Institutional Zone has been broadened.
Yorkton Council gave unanimous second and third reading to the amendments at their regular meeting Monday.
And amendments came about after the City Administration had been entertaining redevelopment ideas for several Institutional-zoned properties.
“Most of these properties are owned by not-for-profit groups whose membership and financial resources are in decline such that the groups may not be able to continue operations of their existing facilities,” said Michael Eger Director of Planning, Building & Development with the City at Monday’s meeting. “As a result, they are seeking out all possible options to either increase revenues or divest themselves of liabilities.
“At the May 30, 2016 Council meeting, an application was refused which proposed to rezone 38 Bradbrooke Drive to allow for commercial use. Administration was instead in favour of expanding the allowable uses in the Institutional zone. These changes would be intended to help address the widespread underuse of Institutional properties while mitigating unwanted effects caused by commercial and/or contract zoning.”
The purpose of the Institutional zone is to establish and preserve areas of community-wide administrative, cultural, institutional and utility uses.
The existing Permitted and Discretionary Uses already provide for a range of uses that is greater than typically found in comparable cities. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Administration is of the opinion that only minor changes can be considered without compromising the intent of the Institutional zone, detailed a report circulated to Council.
In terms of changes Eger said the City already had a broad definition for Institutional Zones, but there were a few that made sense.
“Specifically, Administration recommends changing the Health Services definition. The revised definition opens up possibilities for standalone medical and health service retailers and removes the requirement for outpatient visitation,” he explained.
“Additionally, it is recommended that Professional Offices be added to the list of discretionary uses in the Institutional zone. While many of the Institutional buildings are over-sized for this type of use, allowing them as separate entities could allow for joint re-use of a building. This would also help to address gaps in the professional services sector within the City.
“The proposed changes, combined with existing allowable uses, will provide reasonable flexibility for redevelopment without compromising the intent of the Institutional zone. Notwithstanding these changes, Administration will continue to work with community groups to determine other regulatory changes that would allow for adaptive redevelopment of their properties. Given the wide array of existing and potential circumstances, it is expected that some of these properties will have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”
