Changes are in the works for North Battleford's new zoning bylaw and official community plan.
That was the indication at Monday night's council meeting, following a public hearing at City Hall where several delegations had a chance to vent their concerns, and frustrations, about the changes in the bylaw.
The public hearing highlighted what seemed to be a divide between supporters of downtown and the interests of non-downtown businesses.
Downtown BID Executive Director Lisa McEachern spoke strongly in favour of the zoning bylaw and the OCP.
She welcomed new rules to replace the existing 30-year-old bylaw, saying the new bylaw "encourages development in our downtown core, the key issue voters requested in the election."
But McEachern's cheerful demeanor stood in contrast to the frustration evident from the other presenters.
Those delegations, which included Crandleberry's owner Morley Dickson, legal counsel representing Terracap, the owners of Frontier Mall, and the president of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, all voiced concern about what they saw as the restrictive nature of the zoning provisions on business and investment. Dickson also voiced concerns about a "lack of consultation directly with stakeholders" - a point made earlier in the meeting by the reeve of the RM of North Battleford, Dan Bartko.
Bartko said city officials never consulted the RM about a proposed boundary expansion into the RM that would annex 15 quarters of RM land. In a meeting between the RM and Mayor Ian Hamilton and City Manager Jim Puffalt on April 9, the RM demanded the OCP be altered to remain in its present borders.
"Because there has been no communication or consultation with the RM of North Battleford in this matter we have no choice but to oppose the City of North Battleford's Official Community Plan," Bartko said.
The consultant with Crosby Hanna and Associates later responded that in fact there are no annexation plans at this time.
Correspondence from two others, Parkland Farm Equipment and Garrett Holdings, were also submitted voicing objection to the changes.
It was obvious from the general reaction from inside chambers Monday that amendments will be coming for the zoning bylaw and the OCP.
City Planner Tim LaFreniere said as much, saying administration will be recommending several amendments to the zoning district map and future land use map based on feedback they received.
The intention is to "consolidate the comments received tonight, to bring forward those in a fashion that's amenable to council," and to also provide for planning consultants to address the issues raised "in a way that ensures the information in front of council is accurate with respect to how the bylaw functions," LaFreniere said.
The plan now is for future meetings and consultations to be held with those impacted and for the issue to come back to council to discuss the zoning bylaw and OCP in a committee of the whole.
That would be an open meeting of council that could then bring forward a recommendation to council to amend the zoning bylaw. Any amendments to the bylaw would be included and put forward in a motion for second reading of the bylaw as amended. Council passed a resolution to that effect Monday night.
All amendments will need to be advertised, and affected landowners will need to be notified as well.
The meeting Monday culminated what has been an eventful couple of weeks in which there had been growing unrest over the provisions of the new zoning bylaw.
The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce voiced concern that the bylaw would be restrictive to business in a letter circulated to members dated April 7. Of particular concern to the Chamber was a proposal for the C1 Downtown Commercial that would restrict banks and theatres to that district alone.
Chamber president Ryan Moe reiterated the Chamber's concerns in his presentation Monday.
"Members have voiced concerns that the real or perceived restrictions in the zoning bylaw, downtown, and in several commercial sub codes, will impact the growth and development not only in the core but elsewhere in the city," said Moe. He urged flexibility be built into the OCP and in the enforcement and rollout of its provisions.
Dickson also reiterated his stance from an online petition he organized, which particularly opposed a proposed change from a C1 to a newly-defined C3 zone designation on 100th Street. Over 100 signatures were signed to that petition in advance of Monday's meeting.
"The plan to trap businesses in the downtown core is insidious," said Dickson in his presentation Monday. "Placing restrictions on development of business in this manner will only serve to drive away investment."
He particularly slammed the plan to restrict banks and theatres to the downtown. Dickson said what was needed instead was "action, ambition, drive and commitment" to change the situation downtown, and that this needed to be sought out and nurtured.
"If you want it, we should go get it," said Dickson.
Dickson also criticized the idea of bringing in "discretionary use" to 100th Street. "Entrepreneurs should not have to beg to invest their life savings to come to our community to make it a better place to live and enjoy."
Appearing on behalf of Terracap, legal counsel John Agioritis voiced concern about the intention to change the Frontier Mall property's zoning from a C4 commercial zone that would include financial institutions and theatres, to one that would create a number of discretionary uses and remove theatres and financial institutions.
One alternative to restrictive zoning was put forward by Councillor Ryan Bater at the meeting.
He suggested the City could develop an incentive program to businesses to locate in the downtown core as an alternative to restricting businesses to that area. In general, that met with favour among the presenters.
"I think there would be a very positive reaction from people along 100th Street," said Dickson, who added "restrictions are not the answer. Business needs to thrive and grow."
In speaking to reporters Mayor Hamilton said he welcomed the feedback at the meeting. "We'll take that all into consideration," said Hamilton.
He did, however, pledge his support for the downtown. "I think a vibrant and active downtown is the heart of the city and all businesses in the downtown area and the outlying areas all benefit from a strong healthy downtown core."
