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By Jordan Parker

City Council highlights

Nov 21, 2017 | 6:25 AM

It was a city council where zoning and land-use took centre stage at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Land near Countryside North was given a Land Use Bylaw Amendment C-1260-81 from Business Industrial to Urban Reserve, to allow for farming.

Though administration didn’t recommend changing the land use, the owner had been sitting on the land for over a decade, and couldn’t find a utilization for it other than farm-land.

Councillors Pilat, Blackburn Clayton all supported it early on.

“We can be supportive of our citizens. After 10 or 11 years, this has potential, but it has been a burden to the developer,” said Clyde Blackburn.

“When it becomes viable (for business industrial), I am confident it will go back.”

Chris Thiessen and Mayor Bill Given were opposed, for the same reasons.

“This was zones as no longer Urban Reserve when it was bought in 2006. It was a bad deal, and that’s a challenge of being in business,” said Given.

“I haven’t seen zoning go backwards before. I appreciate this tax burden, but my preference is to find a more appropriate way to help.”

The eventual final motion passed.

The Hillside Area Revitalization Plan Overlay request was passed unanimously.

The original plan passed in September 2017, and looks at a redevelopment plan to help the aging area move forward.

A potential apartment at 10112 103 Ave. was also approved for a change from residential transition to medium density in South Avondale.

Though one resident spoke out with worries of drugs and undesirable people moving in, council decided allowing 10 units instead of eight wouldn’t hurt the area.

Councillor Eunice Friesen sympathized with the woman who spoke against the project.

In an update about the Afghanistan War Monument, Renee Charbonneau said dignitaries, council, silver cross families and more showed their support.

“Our monument got rave reviews … MLA Wayne Drysdale utilized his time for his member statement on Nov. 8, and dedicated his time to the monument and its unveiling,” said Charbonneau.

As a result of her volunteerism, Charbonneau has been nominated to become a member of the Order of St. George.

by Jordan Parker