By Troy Gillard

CITY COUNCIL

Public hearing scheduled for CAWES expansion rezoning

May 26, 2020 | 12:00 PM

A public hearing will take place next month after Red Deer city council passed first reading for a zoning change that would allow for expansion of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES).

Council heard on Monday that CAWES currently has 40 beds in 16 small rooms, and that a new facility would consist of 48 shelter beds spread over 24 larger rooms plus 12 second stage (transitional) apartments.

A planned street-level commercial space would serve CAWES clients, while also generating revenue, through something like a hair salon or fitness centre. Any future commercial uses at the site would be subject to municipal planning commission approval.

The initial expansion proposal included a six storey building but was later changed to four storeys. The final design and capacity of the expanded facility will be determined by funding CAWES receives. There are currently two different versions of the design layout.

The need for expansion is being driven by an increase in demand. CAWES, which first opened its doors in 1983, saw shelter admissions increase by 40 per cent over just three years from 2015 to 2018. The demand for outreach services nearly doubled during that same period.

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At an open house in February, nearby landowners raised concerns over proposed expansion, including potential increases in traffic, declines in property values, flooding and environmental impacts.

While council passed first reading for the rezoning some expressed concerns over the site for the proposed expansion.

Councillor Michael Dawe pointed out that the currently undeveloped property (5301, 5313, 5317 and 5321-47th Ave.) was the site of severe flooding in the 1960s. He said while that necessarily doesn’t mean bank erosion will be an issue again, an engineering study will be needed to ensure as much.

Dawe, along with Councillor Diane Wyntjes, also voiced concerns over the fate of the Rover Hut, the log scouting cabin built in 1937 that currently sits unused on the property in question.

Director of Planning Services Tara Lodewyk told council these concerns don’t need to be addressed during rezoning.

An amendment presented by Councillor Lawrence Lee to ensure that on-street garbage receptacles be part of the project was added to the bylaw.

The public hearing regarding the rezoning of the property, which will be held online through the city’s website, is slated for Wednesday, June 24.