(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall

future shelters banned from area

City tackling “ambitious objectives” created for Downtown Red Deer

Aug 31, 2020 | 7:27 PM

City council gave final approval Monday to the first of three amendments to Red Deer’s Land Use Bylaw, all of which are aimed at creating a healthier downtown.

The first, which went through public hearing, as well as second and third readings at the meeting, resolved to expand the Downtown Core, also referred to as the Gaetz-Ross Heritage Area.

The area is now defined as all those parcels of land fronting onto Gaetz Avenue from 46 Street north to, and including, the Hamilton Block and, all those parcels fronting onto Ross Street between, and including, the former CP Railway Station and the Old Court House Professional Centre building.

It previously only went as far south as 48 Street.

The approved bylaw amendment also removes “Temporary Care Facility” as a use in the Gaetz-Ross Heritage Area.

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This means a facility providing temporary living accommodation and includes such facilities as overnight shelters, halfway houses, short term medical rehabilitation centres, detoxification centres, hospices and other similar uses.

Planning Manager Emily Damberger says there is currently just one property that falls under that definition and is now categorized as legal non-conforming.

If it expands, intensifies, closes or otherwise ceases to operate for a period of six months, they would no longer be legal non-conforming. The property was only recently given its development permit.

This will allow the Gaetz-Ross Heritage area to be the business, entertainment, and long-term residential area in the downtown, featuring restaurants and commercial entertainment facilities along the main floor, and residential opportunities above, a media release states.

Council also gave first reading to the Residential Parking Incentive Bylaw, which would reduce the requirement for parking stalls in the downtown area to one parking stall per unit for multi-family buildings, and encourage more residential development in the downtown area.

The requirement is currently one stall per bedroom, or 1.5 stalls per two bedrooms.

First reading was also given to the Office Expansion Bylaw, which aims to clarify office and office-related definitions for increased flexibility and clarity, and add office uses in additional commercial land use districts.

“The City of Red Deer has established ambitious objectives for the future revitalization of its downtown core,” said Damberger . “We are also implementing items from the Economic Leader report, including support for façade and storefront improvements, reducing red tape, demolition of vacant and derelict properties, and utility connection fee grants.”

Public hearings for the latter two bylaws will be held Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. No one spoke during or provided a letter for the public hearing on Monday.