City council approved an application from Nicor Construction to develop semi-detached dwellings with basement suites on Saskatchewan Drive, as part of Riverwood development on the former Souris Valley grounds, with parking via a rear lane that the re
City council approved an application from Nicor Construction to develop semi-detached dwellings with basement suites on Saskatchewan Drive, as part of Riverwood development on the former Souris Valley grounds, with parking via a rear lane that the residents will have to keep clear of snow in the winter.
Each building is to be built across two lots, with a principal dwelling unit and a basement suite with a separate entrance and parking.
One of the reasons staff was recommending approval of this housing development is that it helps to increase the availability of affordable residential units. They also increase the availability of rental units, "which are known to be in short supply compared to condominium units."
The owners of the principal home can also supplement their house payments by having a tenant in their basement suite.
The development was approved with the condition of adequate parking for each dwelling unit, with a maximum of two bedrooms in each secondary suite.
Noting that the City does not clear back lanes of snow during the winter, the developers were asked about how they are going to handle this.
Speaking for Nicor Developments, Munir Haque told council they are telling buyers that the city is not clearing back lanes.
"We are not making any promises to the end-users. If everybody on that side of the block wants to hire a third party to come in and keep the lane cleared, that's up to them," he said.
In a report from the Weyburn Ag Society, Coun. Laura Morrissette gave a wrapup on the Fair, and looked ahead to 2015 for the organization.
The Ag Society has two new events lined up for 2015; the first one will be a truck pull on Sept. 4-5, and on Oct. 3, the Ag Society will put on their own version of a "Fest of Ale", similar to an event held in Regina last year.
The Ag Society has acquired some new seating for the barns at the fair grounds from the Comp. Bleacher assembly will be taking place soon.
From the Fair itself, they recorded an attendance of 7,800 people, and considered it well-attended in spite of the first day being rained out.
Plans have begun for next year's Fair, including that there is a need for a new Home Products chair. Amanda Neiszner has been looking after that up to this year. This position is responsible for lining up exhibits for the Fair, along with a judge.
The Ag Society is always looking for new faces and volunteers, including for any of these events or positions, if anyone has an interest.
In a report from the library, the Summer Reading Program had over 400 children take part in activities during July, under the leadership of Chelsea Woodard, and about 300 who attended in August.
There were a number of other activities as well over the summer, including a visit by Orm and Barb Mitchell to do a reading for the centennial of author W.O. Mitchell's birthday, held as part of the Wheat Festival.
A donation came from Cenovus, in the amount of $1,500, for the Books for Babies program, which will help along with the support of the Superannuated Teachers and the Sun Country Health Region.
Taylor Kyle is the new page at the library; the former page, David Lee, held the position at the library for three years, and is now at the University of Regina.
