By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Highlights from Monday’s City Council meeting

Feb 23, 2021 | 5:30 AM

Monday’s Grande Prairie City Council meeting saw a number of motions passed:

Property tax deadline

Council has approved extending the property tax deadline for residential and non-residential properties to August 31.

Council has also approved eliminating the July penalty deadline and to waive fees to sign up for the Tax Installment Payment Plan and NSF charges through August 31.

This is being done to help ratepayers deal with the fallout from the pandemic.

Secondary Suites

Council has approved changes to the part of the Land Use Bylaw that governs secondary suites.

The changes would allow five suites within a 50-metre radius, up from the current three, if some conditions are met.

Those include the home being on a corner lot, if the home is across from or beside a Public Utility Lot, Municipal Reserve or Storm Pond, across from a medium and high-density housing or industrial areas with their own parking or is located across from side yards rather than driveways.

Homebuilders and the city had been discussing these changes for several months. Builders say there is demand for these suites.

High-Performance Sports Facility

Council has approved a motion related to the possible establishment of a High-Performance Sports Centre in the Grande Prairie area.

Council has agreed to explore the concept upon review of a business case and to work on a joint funding agreement with regional partners.

Mayor Jackie Clayton called this a “great opportunity” for the city, especially since the city would not have to pay for the whole thing.

No firm plans are in place yet for such a facility.

Fees waived for change of use for restaurants, bars

Council has approved a policy change that will see fees waived when bars and restaurants want to switch to the newly created category of Restaurant and Drinking Establishment Major/Minor.

This allows such places to operate as family restaurants during the day and as bars in the evening.

The city calls this another way to help businesses to adapt during the pandemic.

Businesses that have already paid these fees might be able to get their money back.