Medicine Hat city councillors back rezoning they say matches strategic plan

In its broad 2023-2026 strategic plan, council directs the city to “maximize infill” and revitalize existing areas.

“If that’s the direction we want to go, we understand the benefit to both the community and the long term financial benefits to this kind of development,” Van Dyke added.

City council on Monday voted 6-2 in favour of rezoning 29 Second St. SW — an empty property in a residential area — from a low density residential district to one that is medium density.

There was once a single detached house on the site that was demolished after the city issued a demolition permit in 2022, according to a staff report.

Scottie Signature Homes, the Medicine Hat-based developer that applied for the rezoning, plans to build a multi-family duplex on the site.

The company’s owner T.J. Cranston said the multi-story building would include mobility-friendly apartments and on-site parking.

Several Second Street residents spoke out against Cranston’s planned build, saying it would create more parking congestion and that the street’s current infrastructure would not be able to handle such a development.

In a letter to council, Gwenda Baldie said parking would be made impossible because the property is on a hill.

Cranston said parking spaces would be built into the site, with some accessible via the front and others through the back alley.

“Parking in the back alley during winter is impossible due to being snowed in,” Baldie said in her letter.

She also argued the value of the existing homes on the street would decrease if an apartment building was constructed.

Graphic/CHAT News

Baldie’s husband Duncan emphasized her criticisms as he addressed the horseshoe Monday.

“There’s a lot of gaps in there, basically a lot of rubbish, too,” Duncan said of Cranston’s plans.

Coun. Robert Dumanowski voted against approving the rezoning largely because of an Area Redevelopment Plan that’s in place for where the property is located.

“My opposition tonight is predicated on the fact that we have a Herald Historical Redevelopment Plan — an ARP — that is on the books, which speaks to the maintenance of historical characteristics of a neighborhood,” Dumanowski told CHAT News after the meeting.

“There was a proposal put forward for the infill development, which in my opinion is incongruent with the ARP,” he added, referencing the planned apartment project.

In a brief presentation to council, Cranston pointed out there is a low-rise apartment across the street from the proposed build.

Coun. Allison Knodel, who joined the council majority in voting to approve the rezoning, said she first listened to the concerned residents before making her decision.

“I always try and be empathetic first so that those who feel whatever perspective they have is heard,” Knodel said.

“But what my decision making comes down to is ‘how are we going to have the greatest impact — positive impact — on the greatest number of people in the community?”

She added that she also places trust in staff to handle the build permit process the developer will need to go through before putting shovels in the ground.

“If we don’t have trust in administration the whole process kind of crumbles. So yes, I do put confidence in them.”

Van Dyke agreed.

“They hear council’s concerns. They hear the public’s concerns when it goes to the next stage of development permits. And they’re talking about what they end up going forward with, they’ve heard those things,” she of city staff.

“They can incorporate that and deal with those issues at that time.”

With the rezoning of the Second Street Southwest property complete, Scottie Signature Homes will not be able to apply for a development permit from the city.

Council meets next on Nov. 18.

by Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat city councillors back rezoning they say matches strategic plan

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