Medicine Hat council approves four-unit row house development, explores secondary road

Administration also confirmed a gate that had raised concerns about access had been removed and replaced with plastic boulders that can be pushed aside.

The city will also follow up with Parks and Recreation about concerns over snow clearing potentially obstructing the route.

Speaking in favour of the bylaw during the hearing, Jayco Homes representative Steve Heid told council the proposal would consist of four bungalow-style row house units across two properties, with driveways facing south toward Sunwood Crescent rather than Sierra Green.

Heid said the layout would provide fewer units than could potentially be built under other configurations, while helping address parking concerns.

He also said the goal was to keep the price of each unit below $400,000.

Resident speakers offered differing views on the proposal, with concerns about neighbourhood character and traffic weighed against the need for more attainable housing.

Following the rezoning’s approval, Councillor Yusuf Mohammed brought forth a separate motion that council unanimously passed directing administration to explore options for a permanent secondary roadway in Saamis Heights.

Mohammed said the motion is intended to address broader concerns raised by residents during the public hearing and ensure the issue continues to be examined.

The rezoning does not approve construction itself, as a development permit application and review will still be required.

The first portion of the public hearing took place on Oct. 6 at the previous City of Medicine Hat Council Meeting.

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Council also approved a new policy outlining how the city manager’s annual performance evaluation will be conducted.

The policy establishes a formal process with defined expectations, responsibilities and timelines, while introducing a structured four-year evaluation cycle that incorporates feedback from council and, at appropriate times, senior leadership, direct reports and external stakeholders.

James Will, the City’s Director of People Services, said the city has historically evaluated the city manager, but the process had not previously been governed by a council-approved policy.

The Municipal Government Act requires the city manager, also known as the chief administrative officer, to receive an annual written performance evaluation.

Under the new policy, council and the city manager will collaboratively establish annual performance objectives in December.

The evaluation process is scheduled to begin in April and run for about three months.

Council said the policy would provide continuity for future councils and help clarify expectations and accountability.

The council also discussed how external stakeholders would be selected and how a 360-degree assessment could gather feedback from people who work with the city manager.

During its annual organizational meeting, council approved its proposed 2027 meeting schedule, maintaining the usual pattern of meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month, with adjustments for statutory holidays.

Regular council meetings will continue to begin at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.

The schedule includes one meeting in both July and August, on July 5 and Aug. 16.

Meetings are scheduled to resume twice monthly in September.

Council also approved its provisional consolidated schedule for committee meetings, which may change depending on committee needs and direction from committee chairs.

The organizational meeting included appointments of council members to standing committees and external boards, as well as deputy mayor and acting mayor appointments.

Mayor Clark said the deputy mayor and acting mayor arrangements may be revisited as scheduling needs develop.

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat council approves four-unit row house development, explores secondary road

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