Yorkton Council began the process to expand allowable uses in the Institutional Zone by amending the City’s Zoning Bylaw.
“City Administration has been entertaining redevelopment ideas for several Institutional-zoned properties,” Michael Eger, Director of Planning, Building & Development with the City told the regular meeting of Council Monday.
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.
“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 within the Institutional zone, explained Eger.
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.
Any proposed changes to the list of Permitted and Discretionary Uses would have to be done so as to not compromise the intent of the zone.
Specifically, Administration would recommend changes to the Health Services definition, to read as follows;
“A development used for the provision of physical and mental health goods and services. Services may be of a preventative, diagnostic, treatment, therapeutic, rehabilitative or counselling nature and may include the retail sale of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and related health care products.
“The revised definition opens up possibilities for standalone medical and health service retailers, and removes the requirement for outpatient visitation,” said Eger.
Additionally, it is recommended that Professional Offices be added to the list of discretionary uses in the Institutional zone, said Eger. The Professional Offices definition reads as follows:
“A development primarily used for the provision of professional services but does not include financial institutions and business support services, health services or government services. Typical uses include the offices of lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, engineers, architects and photographers.”
“There are currently gaps in some of the professional services within the City. 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,” he said.
Council was unanimous is passing first reading of the amendments.
The next step will initiate the public notice process including advertisement in the local newspaper, at City Hall and on the City website. The proposed amendment will also be referred to the Planning and Infrastructure Commission.
