ST. PAUL – On April 28, during the regular Public Works meeting, County of St. Paul council discussed a request to rezone a parcel of land to an Industrial/Commerical (IC) District.
The lot, zoned as Agriculture (A), is at an intersection of Highway 41 and 646 near the Town of Elk Point. The property owner hopes to expand an existing retail store and gas station located at the property.
Gary Buchanan, the County's Director of Planning and Development, said that back in 2013-14, when the County was amending the land use bylaw (LUB), the property and other surrounding properties, were zoned as Urban Expansion (UX).
This zoning allowed for commercial and industrial uses until 2013, when the County's LUB was amended, and the UX designation was removed – reverting the lot back to agricultural zoning, making the retail store and gas station non-conforming uses under the current bylaw.
“Which means... if you want to do anything, [such as] expand your business... you can't because you're non-conforming. So, you need to rezone it to [an IC District], which is the current district that would apply,” explained Buchanan.
According to the agenda, if the retail store and gas station can expand, it will benefit the owner, the local community, and the County of St. Paul.
Coun. Kevin Wirsta made a motion to give the first reading to Bylaw 2024-09 to rezone the lot. The motion was carried.
A public hearing is scheduled for June 25, during the County’s next Public Works meeting.
