Medicine Hat City Council to weigh four land-use proposals Monday

A final unit count, parking plan and other site details would be addressed through the development permit process.

The property is located in the light industrial area east of Highway 1, and is surrounded by industrial and commercial businesses.

City planners acknowledge the proposal conflicts with the Municipal Development Plan’s direction to avoid residential uses in employment sectors intended for long-term industrial and commercial growth.

However, the report also points to city policies supporting housing diversity, infill and the repurposing of underused commercial properties.

Potential impacts from highway and industrial activity could be addressed through measures such as sound fencing, landscaping and screening.

The property also contains the 1964 Ranchmen Motel neon cowboy sign, which is listed on the city’s Heritage Inventory.

Its future conservation or integration would be considered during the development permit process.

Council will also consider Bylaw 4892-2026, which would rezone the Sundek Motel at 855 Gershaw Dr. S.W. from Regional Commercial Special Use to Neighbourhood Residential 2.

The two-storey motel currently provides short-term accommodation, and the proposed rezoning would allow its conversion to multi-unit housing.

Like the Ranchmen site, the Sundek property is within the West Employment Sector, surrounded by commercial and light industrial uses.

A manufactured home community, Tower Estates, is located across Gershaw Drive.

Planners say the existing motel already accommodates overnight occupants, although permanent residential use could create new conflicts with industrial noise, truck traffic, dust and outdoor storage.

The site is also exposed to traffic noise and vibration from Gershaw Drive. Potential mitigation measures would be considered during development permit review.

Four-unit row house proposed

Council is also being asked to approve second and third readings of Bylaw 4890-2026, rezoning 22 Sierra Green S.W. from Neighbourhood Residential 1 to Neighbourhood Residential 2.

The applicant, Jayco Builders Inc., plans to consolidate the property with a neighbouring lot and develop a four-unit row house.

The existing N-R1 designation primarily allows detached and semi-detached housing, while N-R2 permits row housing and other multi-unit forms.

The proposed development would be consistent with nearby properties, including N-R2 lots, semi-detached homes, a fourplex and a townhouse development.

The city says Saamis Heights is nearing build-out, and the proposed rezoning would not create a significant departure from the neighbourhood’s planned density.

A development permit would still be required before construction could proceed.

Amazon distribution hub proposed at Ogilvie site

The fourth proposal would establish a local Amazon package distribution and trans-shipment facility in part of the former Ogilvie Flour Mill complex at 1222 Allowance Ave. S.E.

The Municipal Planning Commission has recommended approval of the development permit for an Industrial Operation, Minor use.

The facility would employ about 40 people and operate seven days a week.

Two 53-foot tractor-trailers would arrive around 4 a.m., unload inside the warehouse and leave by about 5:30 a.m.

About 25 delivery vans would then distribute packages through staggered 20-minute departure waves.

No packages would be stored overnight.

Truck access would be through Tractor Avenue and Maple Avenue, with a 30.5-metre gravel turnaround serving three existing loading docks.

The early-morning truck activity is a key consideration because of the property’s proximity to the South Flats residential neighbourhood.

Fire hydrants and an emergency access gate would also have to be operational before the use begins.

The proposal would reuse an existing warehouse with interior renovations, leaving the historic exterior of the former flour mill intact.

The Ogilvie complex opened in 1913 and operated for about a century.

It is listed on the city’s Heritage Inventory and Place of Interest List.

Planning staff say the proposal supports brownfield redevelopment, adaptive reuse and more efficient use of existing infrastructure.

Monday’s meeting begins in Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m.

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City of Medicine Hat Council Meeting Oct. 5, 2026 YouTube Stream

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat City Council to weigh four land-use proposals Monday

Two motels proposed for housing

Four-unit row house proposed

Amazon distribution hub proposed at Ogilvie site

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