Medicine Hat City Hall. File Photo/CHAT News

By Jesse Gill

CITY HALL

Three public hearings set for Medicine Hat City Council on Monday

Jan 5, 2026 | 1:38 PM

Medicine Hat City Council will have its first meeting of the new year Monday night.

Three public hearings are scheduled regarding rezoning applications in three residential locations in the city.

First up is 1064 First St. SW, located in the Harlow area of the city.

The Municipal Planning Commission recommends that the vacant land be rezoned from a Mixed-Use District to Medium Density Residential.

On Sept. 2, 2025, City Council approved a motion directing Land and Real Estate to bring forward a land use bylaw amendment for Council’s consideration. It included that the height of development on the property be restricted to a maximum of 10.5 metres or two stories.

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A previously proposed and cancelled four-story condominium development on the land had opposition from Harlow residents.

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READ: Harlow residents oppose Riverwalk development on First Street Southwest Medicine Hat (April 4, 2024)

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The Land Use Bylaw amendment for 1064 First St. SW did not receive any written submissions in opposition.

Rezoning from Low-Density Residential to Medium-Density Residential is being considered for the other two public hearings.

New Tab Homes is listed as the developer for both locations.

The rezoning of multiple lots on Southland Drive Southeast behind Walmart received five written submissions of complaint before the public hearing.

Residents’ concerns include congestion in the area, including parking and traffic pressure, strain on existing infrastructure, impact on property value, character of the neighbourhood, insufficient community benefit, and precedent for future upzoning.

One resident complaint stated that the developer had already started building at 5366/5368 Southland Dr. SE before the public was notified of a rezoning application.

The other location includes 5371/5373 and 5377/5379 Southlands Dr. SE.

The third public hearing is for a lot at 308/310 Somerside Cres. SE.

This received two public complaints with concerns including the neighbourhood character, traffic congestion and safety, infrastructure capacity, insufficient parking, maintenance and taxation, and alignment with municipal plans.

A verbal update will be given by Councillor Bill Cocks on the Electoral Boundary Commission.

Motions are also being recommended based on business arising from a Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting on Dec. 4, 2025.

It’s recommended that the council direct administration to provide all outstanding council motions for all standing committees, and a complete list of outstanding and upcoming budgeted capital projects to be constructed in 2026, as well as provide the relevant policies and bylaws for each of the standing committees at the council meeting on Jan. 19.

The closed session this afternoon has eight items listed, including the proposed South Side Outdoor Pool and Brier Run Sports Fields, which are also listed in the regular agenda as an information item.

The closed session looks to be a busy one, starting at 3 p.m. and including eight items for discussion.

The public portion of the meeting opens in Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m.

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