Yorkton Council finalizes amendment to better facilitate 'night club' development

YORKTON - Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday looked to finalize amendments to the city’s Zoning Bylaw to include night clubs as a defined land use category with special use provisions.

The suggested amendment came from a recommendation from city administration June 23, when Council granted first Reading and approved public notice for the Bylaw change.

The Bylaw proposes to include Night Clubs as a defined land use category and to make them Discretionary Uses in the C-1 City Centre Commercial, C-2 Arterial Commercial, C3 Highway Commercial, CMI-1 Commercial-Industrial Transitional and MXURB Mixed-Use Residential Business zoning districts.

The changes were referred to the Planning and Infrastructure Commission for review at their July 2, 2025 meeting, explained Michael Eger – Director of Planning, Building & Development with the city Monday.

As part of their review and discussion, the Commission noted that:

* noise concerns from loud music could also be associated with other uses, such as musical instrument and instructional businesses, and audio-visual retailers/installers, and to be mindful of those regulations or potential loopholes;

* to consider other factors beyond noise which may make a site more suitable for the intended use;

* as part of the public notice process, it would be helpful for applicants to have an opportunity to work with potential complainants to mitigate concerns; and

* larger cities have centralized entertainment nodes where nightclubs are encouraged and are thusly allowed as permitted uses – Yorkton lacks these distinct areas so incorporating Night Clubs as a Discretionary Use across most commercial zones should continue to create opportunity while also mitigating incompatible uses.

The Commission subsequently carried a unanimous motion that the Bylaw be recommended for approval to City Council, said Eger.

In addition the bylaw proposes to assign Special Use Provisions for Night Clubs to address and mitigate several areas of potential concern.

For example, night clubs locations will be strategically considered in locations that preserve the character of existing adjacent businesses, the zoning district as a whole and residential uses if applicable.

It was also recognized development of a night club could boost local economic activities through job creation, enhanced tourism and entertainment appeal as well as the potential to increase revenue for surrounding businesses like food vendors and retailers.

The bylaw was given unanimous second and third readings.