By Sheldon Spackman

"A Step Forward"

Council approves rezoning for women’s emergency shelter expansion

Jun 25, 2020 | 10:57 AM

Red Deer city council has unanimously approved an application from the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) to rezone the land it currently occupies, as well as a portion of adjacent land to the north, to allow for future expansion.

The rezoning is a first step towards allowing CAWES to replace and expand its current facility from 40 beds and 16 small rooms, to 48 shelter beds spread out between 24 rooms, in addition to 12 apartments that would be devoted to transitional housing on the second floor.

A maximum four-story structure would be permitted on site, but a final design and capacity would be determined by the funding CAWES receives. City officials further point out, that design specifics will be fleshed out at the development permit stage when the building envelope and uses are being considered.

“We are not only offering that beacon of hope, but in fact, we’re alleviating a gateway to homelessness, which spousal abuse is very much a trigger,” said Councillor Ken Johnston.

Among those uses is the organization’s Outreach program which would operate on the second floor. The Outreach program provides information, referrals, and support to women affected by domestic violence and works to empower women with tools and strategies for becoming independent and fulfilled.

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CAWES is also seeking to add commercial uses to the facility that would act as much-needed accessories to an emergency shelter. These additional discretionary uses could include a daycare, hairdressing, dry cleaning, massage business, restaurant and merchandise sales.

City officials note, however, that liquor, beer or wine sales would be excluded from such accessory services, as would industrial goods, motor vehicles, machinery, fuel, retail cannabis, and all uses where the primary focus is adult oriented merchandise or entertainment.

Councillor Tanya Handley said she was pleased to see extensive consultation done with nearby property owners, and some changes made to the facility’s original plans to appease those nearby neighbours.

“I think we reached a point of balance with the rezoning that addresses the concerns of the neighbourhood and allows for a very important shelter in our community,” added Handley.

Mayor Tara Veer felt city planners were wise in recommending a direct control district for the rezoning proposal.

“I think it allows for a clear sense and articulation of the emergency shelter’s vision, but still provide those protections in terms of those uses that are only deemed to be acceptable by the neighbourhood,” said Veer. “There is specific wording about it being an accessory use, so I think it responds to neighbourhood concerns.”

Officials with CAWES say demand for their services is growing and their current facility is no longer adequate. Shelter admissions from 2015 to 2018 saw an increase of nearly 40 per cent, with 446 women and children admitted for stays of approximately 20 days in 2015, and 624 women and children in 2018.

CAWES’s Outreach program has seen an increase of 198 per cent since 2015, serving 266 women and children experiencing domestic violence or trauma. That number rose to 792 in 2018.

The nearby Rover Cabin, a former scout hut built in 1937 and not used in years, is not impacted by the rezoning, though it’s future remains uncertain at this point.