Permit for overnight shelter stalled to allow for greater consultation with neighbours

“It looks like some of the business owners didn’t get any notification in a timely manner, and how that didn’t happen I don’t know. But I think they are entitled to know what the situation is and understand it,” he said.

During the meeting, representatives for The Mustard Seed explained that letters to business owners went out on June 7, and there was no end date listed for feedback to be provided.

On April 1, 2022 The Mustard Seed was contracted by the Government of Alberta to assume shelter services from the Salvation Army. Currently, The Mustard Seed is running the overnight shelter at the former Salvation Army Centre of Hope building on Eighth Street SE, but they have been informed of Salvation Army’s intent to sell the building.

The approval of the permit would see The Mustard Seed convert its facility on North Railway into a 30-bed shelter that would operate from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., providing residents with a place to sleep, shower and have a snack. The site would also be staffed during the overnight hours with a minimum of three staff per shift who will monitor the area.

A copy of the Good Neighbour Plan shows plans are in place to work with the MHPS who have agreed to increase patrols, and respond promptly to requests for help.

McGrogan said that while he is not a fan of the proposed location on North Railway, he fully believes The Mustard Seed is the right organization to be operating the shelter.

“They have a proven record to do it. Someone has to do it. We have a vulnerable population, and the shelter that is open right now is being run by the Mustard Seed, and they are trying to sell the building so they have to go somewhere, and I completely understand that nobody wants it in their backyard, and it is a sensitive area. There is other development plans, so I think taking a breath, letting everyone be fully informed before we put up walls and say ‘no, no, no, or yes, yes, yes’ I think it is great to take a look at it a little more,” he said.

Among those that spoke against the permitweres Kirsten and Rod Spek, a couple that has invested heavily in the North Railway area, and who own several buildings.

Rod said North Railway has really changed over the past few years, with new businesses moving in. They recently purchased three new properties with plans for a retail space, a new restaurant and something for children.

“It’s buzzing for a good reason. People want to be there. Small businesses want to be there because they can operate cheap, and we have the traffic. We have a lot of people. I just feel like this is going to set us back from what we are going to accomplish,” he said.

Another man named Andrew, who identified himself as a property owner of a multi-family unit expressed concerns about traffic during the day and night, and said his property has been broken into several times.

Similar concerns were brought up from other commission members about maintenance, vandalism, crime and clean up.

But Coun. McGrogan said during his time as a police officer, the overnight shelter has never been known to be a hot spot for issues.

“I don’t see that there is going to be as much disruption as say a drop-in centre. A drop-in centre poses different problems. You’ve got people coming and going, this time with a shelter they get there at a certain time of night and they leave in the morning and most of the businesses, with the exception of probably the bars, they are going to be closed during that time,” Coun. McGrogan said.

Municipal Planning Commission member Mark Asham said coming to a solution will be a tough balance to strike, but one that he thinks can be reached.

“I’m always a believer that there is always a solution. The problem is to find the solution that is best for everybody. There is a need. There is absolutely a need for the vulnerable and for the people who don’t have a place to sleep at night and so that is a legitimate need. The business owners in that area, they have concerns for their businesses, legitimate concerns,” Asham said.

The Municipal Planning Commission will meet again at their next meeting on July 13 to vote on the permit.

by Tiffany Goodwein

Permit for overnight shelter stalled to allow for greater consultation with neighbours

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