ST. PAUL – The County of St. Paul approved the rezoning of an agriculture district to a direct control (DC) district, following a public hearing during the Jan. 9 council meeting.
A DC District is a special district that allows business operation but enables the County to set regulations and control of the use of the property, specifically at SE 25-58-10-W4 along Garneau Road and west of Range Road 95.
Santech Diesel Performance operates a truck repair business on the property.
RELATED: Concerns heard during public hearing for proposed rezoning in County of St. Paul
The property was initially proposed to be rezoned as a Light Industrial Residential District.
But following the July 2023 public hearing about the same matter, Coun. Kevin Wirsta recommended the property to be rezoned as a Direct Control district, with the recommendation being followed through.
During the July 2023 council meeting, Tina Henderson who lives next to the proposed property, voiced her opposition of the rezoning. She cited concerns such as noise, grinding, pounding on metal, beeping from the movement of equipment, along with other noise and disturbances.
Scott Noel, owner of Santech, said he would work on addressing the concerns.
During the Jan. 9 public hearing, Henderson said she initially intended to speak against the rezoning at the public hearing, “But conversations provide clarity, and we had a good conversation” with the business, she said, adding that as long as the corrective measures are put in place, she won’t be against it.
Coun. Darrell Younghans asked if Henderson had seen improvements since the July 2023 public hearing, and Henderson said yes.
“He is making some steps,” she said, but she still would like to see what the control measures are, and what would be regulated on the property.
Another resident who lives close to the area also spoke, stating they were not against the rezoning, but they also would like for some type of control of the business, such as measures to prevent hazards and ensure safety for families who live in the area.
The owner of the property, Charles Lafrance, spoke in favour and said he is working with the County to come up with solutions to people’s concerns, such as with parking, and monitoring workers of the business operating at the property.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the County and everybody to address everybody’s concerns and keep everybody happy,” said Lafrance.
Noel also spoke during the hearing. “I could come up here and say a bunch of things and promise a bunch of things, and it wouldn’t mean anything,” he said. Instead, “I ask you to look at what I’ve done so far.”
Noel said he voluntarily put up a wall on one side of the shop and another wall adjacent to the shop in the spring. “We’re going to put a [20 feet tall] fence,” so there won’t be any vehicles or work visible from the outside. “As for the tow trucks, when they’re unloading, they’re supposed to unload at my other property or [Lafrance’s], and sometimes that gets missed.”
He added, “I’m doing my best to try to mitigate and operate. I’m not out to cause any problems and I’m not out to hurt anyone’s property value,” said Noel. “I think we can all work together to keep this going. I don’t want to leave the County and I would like to stay here if we could."
Coun. Maxine Fodness also asked for clarity on what the measures would be put in place.
Gary Buchanan with the County’s Planning and Development department said the department will look at enforcing signage, fencing, site security, and hours of operation.
“It’d be a mixture of specifics to the land use... and somewhat of a component of the operation side of dropping off of vehicles,” he said.
Other matters and issues that will be considered are any site planning issues in the development permit application. This is a separate process that will be discussed by council following the rezoning process. If the district becomes a DC district, it would be controlled by council, and not administration.
Wirsta made a motion to give second reading to rezone the property to a Direct Control district. The motion was carried. Coun. Maxine Fodness made a motion to give third reading to the rezoning. The motion was also carried.
