The City of Yorkton is in the process of eliminating an oversight in its Zoning Bylaw.
“In response to realtor inquiries regarding a vacant parcel of land in the C-3 Highway Commercial zone, after reviewing the current Zoning Bylaw No. 14/2003, it is noted by Administration that ‘Apartment – Seniors’ is a permitted use within the zone,” detailed a report prepared by Carleen Koroluk, land use planner with the City.
“Administration believes that inclusion of the residential use in the Highway Commercial zone is an oversight in that the purpose of the zone is to provide for commercial development in areas along major access routes at entry points to the City,” she said.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) Future Use Maps designate the lands within the Highway Commercial zone for future commercial use. Furthermore, a section of the OCP states that highway commercial development is typically located around the outskirts of the city. “For this reason, it is most often land reserved for large-format development and “big-box” retail centres, detailed the report.
In addition, these developments include hotels, restaurants, commercial rental units and commercial business complexes or any business that typically benefits from access and visibility from major roads.”
Administration is of the opinion that the inclusion of ‘Apartment-Seniors’ as a permitted use in the C-3 Highway Commercial zone is an oversight as the lands in these areas are clearly not suited for residential use, and specifically designated for commercial use.
The inquirer has been advised that Administration will be presenting a Bylaw Amendment to remove the use and he has advised that he will not be marketing the property as potential apartment use, said Koroluk.
Council was unanimous in passing a resolution to amend the Zoning Bylaw to delete ‘Apartment-Seniors’ from the list of permitted use in the C-3 Highway Commercial District.
The amendment now goes to the Public Notice process before returning to Council for second and third reading.
