Planned Red Deer warming space still can’t proceed due to another zoning issue

However, the item never made it to that meeting’s agenda, which was a surprise to Raye St. Denys, executive director at Shining Mountains.

“I was incredibly saddened to hear that the development permit applied for in December 2025 not only couldn’t be presented to Red Deer council,” she says in a Jan. 14 statement to rdnewsNOW.

“I had asked for an emergency injunction and was told that the situation doesn’t rise to the level of emergency.”

An exasperated St. Denys expressed that she’s tired of waiting because it means more people will either die or face a serious risk of frostbite once temperatures take the plunge once again.

She also surmises that if the issue at hand wasn’t related to the homeless population, but rather, in her words, “privileged” folks, this may be dealt with already.

“I ask: how many deaths due to cold weather need to occur? How many amputations of fingers, toes, or limbs need to occur?” she says.

“How many people need to be in our already overcrowded emergency department with hypothermia or other cold-related issues?”

In a response to several questions from rdnewsNOW, the city says it does recognize the urgency of the situation, and providing warm spaces for people experiencing homelessness.

As explained by Bobby-Jo Stannard, the city’s safe & healthy communities manager, it was November 2024 when council-of-the-day approved an expansion of the Safe Harbour shelter. At that time, the zoning bylaw as it relates to the Cannery Row building where it’s located, was updated. However, the zoning map connected to said bylaw was not. Until the map is formally amended, which Stannard says is a required legal step, the development permit process for that location cannot proceed.

She admits not updating the map was an “administrative oversight,” but in the end, that’s the reason the new development permit didn’t make the agenda for Jan. 13.

“Administration has prioritized this file and is moving the amendment through council as quickly as possible, with a public hearing expected as part of the process,” she says.

City council meets next on Jan. 27 and Feb. 10. A formal amendment to the map, and then first reading for the development permit are slated for Jan. 27.

Stannard also shared that the city explored another location with Shining Mountains, that being the basement at the downtown Recreation Centre.

St. Denys says that location wouldn’t have worked because of certain pieces of city property on display in that space. St. Denys says she didn’t want to risk an emergency situation or other damage inside a municipal facility.

“The city shares the disappointment that these supports are not yet in place. Everyone involved, city staff, Shining Mountains, and community partners, are working urgently to resolve the zoning and permit issues,” adds Stannard.

“While timelines are compressed and some factors are outside the city’s control, the priority remains clear: to get safe, warm spaces available as quickly as possible for people experiencing homelessness.”

The city also clarified that regardless, Shining Mountains is covered for the expenses it has put into renovating and readying the space for guests.

St. Denys shared some before and after photos from inside:

The space (#3-5239 53 Avenue) is a former laser tag facility, and plans are in place for four staff to be on hand. There will be referrals to daytime supports, and more for those seeking health, housing, mental health, and recovery services.

There will also be security cameras, no sharps and/or weapons allowed, and a donation space for anyone wishing to bring non-perishable food items.

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by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Planned Red Deer warming space still can’t proceed due to another zoning issue

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