Red Deer city council approves development permit for temporary shelter with new conditions

A site exception in the LUB and a Development Permit are both required for the temporary shelter to continue operating.

“The temporary shelter is critical for those experiencing homelessness in our community, and approval of this development permit is necessary to ensure continuity of care for some of our city’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “Today’s development permit approval also comes with several conditions, which are aimed at improving the condition of the site for those located on and near the site. We know the topic of housing, homelessness and the provision of shelter is complex, but this decision is necessary as we continue to work with the Province of Alberta to develop a future permanent purpose built shelter in Red Deer.”

The conditions, recommended predominantly through a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment, include:

Any revisions to approved plans are reviewed by the Development Authority.
Repair or reinstate, or pay for the repair or reinstatement, to original condition, any public property, street furniture, curbing, boulevard landscaping and tree planting or any other property owned by the City which is damaged, destroyed or otherwise harmed by development or construction on the site.
Replacing the existing metal fence along the east courtyard, with an 8’ high non-climbable mini-mesh steel screen material.
Installing signage, including but not limited to wayfinding and onsite rules and expectations, to define boundaries and provide direction to site visitors.
Installing a minimum of four bear-proof garbage receptacles, which incorporate art, throughout the north courtyard area.
Exploring options and implement a solution for the storage of personal belongings, possibly including the existing sea-can and potential of relocation of it, to prevent the accumulation of personal belongings and unsightliness in the courtyards.
Providing 24/7 on-site security of the outdoor gathering area, including maintaining a monitored security system. The Applicant shall review the existing surveillance system to determine gaps in coverage.
Maintaining the site, including multiple daily outside inspections and clean-up of the parking lot, grassy areas, and courtyard.

Safe Harbour Executive Director Kath Hoffman voiced skepticism for the fence repair, admitting that individuals using the shelter continue to cut through it on the east side, creating a shortcut to downtown resources like soup kitchens. She said the previous fence cost roughly $45,000 and another $30,000 in repairs. She believes if repaired, it will be cut down again.

The Mayor shared his discontent with this news.

“Is it possible that you would have enough dignity for your shelter provider that you would be willing to walk an extra 100 feet? Why must you take out cutters to a fence? If you’ve got sense enough to take cutters to a fence, you got sense enough to walk around the perimeter,” he said.

The CPTED report noted the property has excess amount of garbage, loitering, encampments, people openly doing drugs, open fires, and public urination out front. Councillor Lawrence Lee questioned if ticketing the shelter should be enforced.

While Hoffman voiced understanding, she said they are regularly the scapegoat for the system being overwhelmed in serving the vulnerable population.

“We can’t be held accountable for all this, we can’t. It’s not fair,” she said.

Hoffman also asked council to remove their original condition to have a sea-can for individual storage out front as it encourages people to bring stolen property like shopping carts, which they are trying to deter.

Some councillors voiced concern about weapons found in personal belongings at the shelter. Hoffman responded that she has always seen weapons in her 25 years of experience as they are more for self defence on the street; however, she does believe security needs to be increased for the safety and comfort of her staff.

Hoffman discussed more plans to renovate the temporary shelter with the help of the province. She said the province has voiced support but formal confirmation is still pending. The funds would add showers, divide the shelter into two spaces for those awake and sleeping, install access control, and more.

Along with the development permit and conditions, council has directed administration on the following:

During the 2024 Budget deliberations, bring forward the option for additional dollars for the Downtown Business Association Clean Team and the Social Diversion Team for enhanced service in the Railyard neighbourhood.
Bring the Greater Downtown and Railyards Neighbourhood Strategies to council during the 2024 Budget deliberations to consider a plan to address pedestrian traffic flow in the Railyards neighbourhood.
Continue discussions with Safe Harbour leadership regarding the fence, pedestrian foot traffic, and other options for exploration regarding the property fencing parameters and access.

When the site exception expires under the LUB on May 1, 2025, a new site exception and a new Development Permit would be required for Safe Harbour to continue operating at the current site.

For more information about the temporary shelter, visit reddeer.ca/shelter.

by Alessia Proietti

Red Deer city council approves development permit for temporary shelter with new conditions

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