During their regular meeting Monday, Sylvan Lake councillors:
• passed the final two readings of a bylaw to change the zoning of the multi-building commercial complex at the corner of Herder Drive and Hinshaw Drive to Neighbourhood Shopping Centre. This will allow for a third building to be built to house a daycare. The zoning had previously been Highway Commercial.
• began the process of amending the 50th Street Area Redevelopment Plan to allow for construction of a two storey commercial building in the Pelican Place area.
The existing regulation requires a minimum of two storeys above grade with grade measured as the midway point along the lot boundary on 50th Street. Because of the significant grade change between 50th Street and Pelican Place that would have meant to meet the minimum height requirements the building would have to be three storeys from the current lot grade on Pelican Place to achieve the two storey minimum above the 50th Street grade.
The amendment removes the minimum height for the lots which abut both 50th Street and Pelican Place.
A public hearing on the bylaw was set for Jan. 13.
• heard from Betty Osmond, the town’s chief administrative officer, that the province has notified the town it intends to demolish Washroom #3 this winter and not replace it.
“The province assessed the building and determined the structure, internal fixtures and underground infrastructure to be worn out and repairs no longer viable. The washroom will not be replaced as the existing number of washrooms in Sylvan Lake Provincial Park and the town’s Centennial Park are believed to be sufficient for visitors using the area,” said Osmond’s report.
• agreed to fund up to $15,000 for development of a business plan for Sylvan Lake Curling Club through a joint partnership with the club.
Ron Lebsack, director of community services, indicated town staff have been meeting regularly with the curling club regarding a new facility. When staff reported, during a recent update, that the club didn’t have a business plan, council proposed the town assist the club by joining efforts and funding its development. Two recreation consulting firms were contacted to discuss the scope of the plan. “The estimated cost provided through discussions … average a maximum cost of $15,000,” said Lebsack’s report to council.
• appointed Mark Green as a bylaw officer for the town. He was hired beginning Dec. 2 to fill a position of temporary community peace officer to cover for an employee currently on leave. Green is retired from the RCMP, serving 23 years in Alberta and Manitoba, and recently was a peace officer for the Summer Village of Gull Lake (including contract work for five additional summer villages and the Town of Rimbey).