3937 50 Street, corner of 40 Ave. and 50 St. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

First reading

Empty lot in Red Deer’s Eastview neighbourhood may soon be for commercial use

Jun 12, 2023 | 9:49 PM

An empty lot in Red Deer’s Eastview neighbourhood may soon be for commercial use.

City council gave first reading at their meeting on Monday to a Land Use Bylaw Amendment to rezone 3937 50 Street from R1A Residential (Semi-Detached Dwelling) District to a C5 Commercial (Mixed Use) District.

The property is located on the corner of 40 Avenue and 50 Street. From 1984 – 2001, it was a service station and car wash before being demolished.

The property has since remained vacant. The City says there was a known contamination on the property which was remediated in 2015.

Surrounding existing land uses are single family homes, duplexes and a service station across.

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An application has been made to rezone the property in the red box. (Red Deer city council June 12 meeting agenda p. 92)

The site is currently zoned for duplexes as an R1A, with a site exception allowing for Motor Vehicle Service and Repair (no sales), a car wash, and a drive-in as discretionary uses.

In June 2021, the applicant applied to rezone the property to C4 Commercial (Major Arterial) District. Based on feedback and analysis, administration determined that the C5 Commercial (Mixed Use) District would be a better option for the property and the applicant voiced support.

Under a C4 district, permitted uses include a commercial recreation or service facility, merchandise sales or rentals, a restaurant, service or repair of related goods and an office building. Discretionary uses include storage facilities, accessory buildings, dangerous goods occupancy, a drinking or gaming establishment, funeral home, hotel, health services, outdoor display, warehouse, communication/utility/transportation facility, and a cannabis retailer.

Under the C5 district, permitted uses include merchandise sales or rentals, restaurant, office building, day care facility, health services, and other residential options. Discretionary uses include accessory building, drinking establishment, hotel, outdoor display, communication/utility/transportation facility, commercial service or entertainment facility, parking lot, assisted living facility, place of worship or sale of fuel.

In July 2021, administration sent a public consultation package to property owners within 100 metres of the property outlining the proposal to rezone the property to C4 District. They say one comment, one inquiry, and one phone call were received.

In April 2023, administration sent an additional public consultation letter to property owners. A total of 70 letters were sent with two comments submitted and one phone call received.

A main concern amongst the public regarded the lack of an identified business as part of the rezoning application.

The City confirmed on Monday that there are still no details available apart from the fact that the applicant would like to develop the land for commercial purposes.

A Public Hearing is scheduled to be held at council’s July 10 meeting.