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By Alessia Proietti

Council approves first reading in rezoning

Red Deer’s Quality Inn hotel considering converting rooms into residential units

Apr 27, 2022 | 12:41 PM

The Quality Inn & Conference Centre is considering turning some of their rooms into residential dwellings.

Red Deer city council approved first reading at Monday’s meeting for the rezoning of the property on 7150 50 Ave. from a Major Arterial District (C4 Commercial) into the Mixed Use District (C5 Commercial).

The 114 room hotel is located in the Normandeau neighborhood. According to administration, the applicant has already stated if the proposed land use bylaw amendment were to be approved, they may then submit a request for a development permit to convert some or all of the hotel rooms into multi-family style dwelling units.

The surrounding area is already a mix of low density residential and commercial uses such as dental offices, restaurants, and a public utility natural area.

Quality Inn & Conference Centre located in red box within the map of the surrounding area. (Red Deer City council agenda packet)

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Both zonings allow the property owner to use the land for an adult entertainment business, medical services, hotels, office building, restaurant and other options.

The current zoning, C4, is deemed by administration as more commercial focused with the options for building a warehouse, funeral home, casino, and cannabis retail store, among others.

The requested C5 rezoning, administration says, is a mix between commercial and residential uses with a focus on pedestrians. Examples of allowed uses are an assisted living facility, dwelling units above ground floor, place of worship, commercial entertainment business, and more.

Administrations says the zone would provide the landowner flexibility to accommodate for future residential uses or revert back to hotel uses if desired.

Quality Inn & Conference Centre in Red Deer’s North Hill (rdnewsNOW file photo)

Landowners within 100m of the site were contacted for feedback on the amendment. Megan and Shane Barrett submitted a letter to administration, concerned with the potential increase in noise and traffic.

Administration responded to the concern that traffic related to a multi-family dwelling is anticipated to be “less intense” than the already existing hotel and increasing noise could be regulated through the Community Standards Bylaw.

The Barretts also expressed if the development were to be converted to low income/subsidized housing, future tenants may make the area unsafe for children.

“An abundance of different people coming into a neighbourhood, creating noise pollution and bringing drugs into the area, will change the dynamic of our close and safe community we have now,” said Megan in her letter.

Administration responded that the city’s land uses do not differentiate between socio-economic statuses and safety concerns can be addressed through policing and other means.

Nicola Everett, Director of Quantum XI Developments Inc., shared concern over the potential negative effects on surrounding property values. Administration responded that the impacts to property values are still unknown and will be determined over time by the market.

Administration also assured callers that the site would not be converted to a homeless shelter as the rezoning does not permit it.

The City referred to other hotels and motels in Red Deer that have been exploring the option of mixed uses to adapt with market demand. The Baymont Inn downtown and the Sandman Hotel on 50 Ave. have already converted some rooms into residential units. In 2021, the Holiday Inn on 50 Ave. rezoned to accommodate for future residential uses and its neighbor, the Travelodge, has an unused site exception to do the same.

The landowner also proposed to remove the existing minimum density requirement for all residential development within the C5 district to provide more flexibility in phasing developments.

A public hearing will be held on May 24 for the rezoning.