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Public hearing for rezoning of land on west end of town set for next week

Auto wreckage would not be allowed under C2 rezoning.
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ST. PAUL - A public hearing regarding a proposed rezoning bylaw for an area on the west end of the Town of St. Paul is scheduled for May 5 at 6 p.m., but the deadline to send in written submissions to the Town of St. Paul is Thursday, April 29, at noon.

Town of St. Paul CAO Kim Heyman affirmed on Wednesday that no decision has been made regarding the proposed rezoning. The potential rezoning could see a portion of land, about four acres in size, rezoned from Residential Medium Density District (R2) to General Commercial District (C2).

A special meeting has been scheduled for May 5 to host a public hearing and gather feedback from the community. The public hearing is required by the Municipal Government Act. 

A request to speed up the rezoning process was made by business owner Terry Allan at the April 12 council meeting. Allan, who owns Kal Tire, explained that he made an offer on the property and had a deadline of May 7 for the rezoning to be complete and meet conditions. Allan plans to expand his existing business.

At that time, it was noted by Town staff and council that while the public hearing could be held ahead of May 7, there was no guarantee as to what would take place at the public hearing. Following Allan's presentation, council did pass first reading of the bylaw, but second and third readings are still required.

Since that time, residents have expressed concerns about the proposed rezoning. 

Lakeland Today asked Heyman to clarify if an auto wreckage was part of the proposed plans. While a letter was received by the Town of St. Paul at one point, stating plans for an auto wreckage, Heyman said that specific use would not be allowed under the C2 rezoning that is being proposed.

In fact, if an auto wreckage were to be situated on the property, it would require the land to be rezoned Industrial, and an auto wreckage would still be classified as a discretionary use of the land. Rezoning to Industrial would be an entirely new process.

"Council can only consider the application in front of them, so what he is asking for is C2 to expand his current business," said Heyman.

Adjacent properties have been notified of the proposed rezoning, added the CAO.

The upcoming public hearing will be held via virtual means, due to the current pandemic. Anyone who sends in a letter is being asked if they would like to speak during the public hearing.

Anyone wanting to submit feedback can contact the Town's Director of Planning and Development, Aline Brousseau at 780-645-8540 or by email at [email protected] 

The bylaw amendment can be viewed on the Town of St. Paul's website.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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