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Rezoning approved for east end of St. Paul

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ST. PAUL - The second and third readings of a bylaw that will see an area on the east side of St. Paul zoned as General Commercial District (C2) were approved by Town of St. Paul council on Monday night, following a public hearing held the same night.

The land was previously zone as Controlled Urban Development District (CUD). During the public hearing, no one spoke against the proposed rezoning, and there also were no letters submitted to the Town of St. Paul in opposition of the rezoning.

The land to be rezoned includes about 20 acres of a larger 80-acre parcel. There has been no subdivision done to the property in question.

Darryl Poirier, the developer-owner, spoke to council during the public hearing. He said the general purpose of the rezoning was to follow through with past discussions that had taken place between the Town and County of St. Paul. He noted that if the land is rezoned as C2, then a potential developer would likely see it as an easier place to develop.

"We want to be prepared," said Poirier. 

There is, however, a residence located on the 20-acre portion, which will now be considered a non-conforming use, due to the rezoning proceeding forward. There can be no improvements done to the residence following the rezoning. 

Coun. Tyson deMoissac asked if the highway entrance to the property would be an issue, and if Alberta Transportation had any say in the matter. Poirier acknowledged there have been discussions with Alberta Transportation. It was also noted later in the meeting that a secondary access to the property does exist, off the highway.

A slough in the back of the property was also brought up during discussions. Poirier said he felt the slough could be dealt with due to its elevation, but that would likely only be done when development actually takes place. 

Following the public hearing, second reading of the rezoning bylaw was carried. 

Before third reading was carried, deMoissac asked what the difference between this rezoning was, and the proposed rezoning on the west side of St. Paul that did not receive council's support in May.

Mayor Maureen Miller said that for her, the difference was that there have been challenges with the flow of water on the west side of St. Paul, specifically affecting the area in question.

"We've been working on that side since we've been in council," said Miller. On the west side, there is an actual watercourse moving through the area, while on the east side, there is no watercourse moving through. 

The mayor did note that she believes the west side of town also needs to be commercial along the highway.

Coun. Nathan Taylor said deMoissac's question was a great one, and felt that for him, it was the residential uses that were different. In the situation on the west end, a portion of land with a residence would have been left as residential, and commercial would have been placed behind it. He noted that leaving the land as residential leaves it open to development that does not fit within the municipality's plan. Having a non-conforming residence doesn't allow for that to occur, since no improvements can be made to the home now.

"I agree that the west end should be commercial as well," acknowledged Taylor.

Coun. Norm Noel asked further about the access to the property, and administration noted that access would be looked at during the subdivision process, rather than the rezoning process.

In the end, if and when the land is developed, there are restrictions and safeguards in place, heard council.

Third reading of the bylaw was carried.


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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