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By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

Highlights from Monday’s City Council meeting

Mar 9, 2021 | 5:30 AM

Other highlights from Grande Prairie city council’s meeting Monday:

Downtown Rehabilitation

Council has approved a bylaw that would allow the city to borrow $14 million for Phase 4 of the Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscape Project.

This phase of the project will see 100 Avenue between 100 and 98 Streets dug up for underground and surface improvements. This would be similar to work already done on 100 Avenue west of 100 Street and 101 Avenue in previous summers.

The work is expected to start in May.

Kensington Rezoning

Council has approved rezoning some land in the Kensington area. Just under four hectares are going from general residential to direct control to allow for smaller lots.

Proponents say new home sales have dropped because prices are too high and are hoping this attracts buyers. They also say steps have been taken to mitigate issues like no on-street parking and say there will be at least one tree planted on each lot.

Lots would be between 30 and 34 feet wide, depending on if there is a lane. Some on council said they were in favour so they could help the industry. Others still did not like the idea of smaller lots.

Another 1.5 hectares is going from general residential to combined density residential and will be added to another area with the same zoning.

Grant Funding

Council has approved giving a $50,000 Large-Scale Tourism Grant to the 2021 edition of the GP Buck Wild Professional Bull Riding event. Council also approved $10,000 in Arts Development Festival Funding to the Centre for Creative Arts for Alberta Culture Days.

Council has agreed to provide $20,000 in funding for the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta to complete this year’s Vital Signs report, which looks at emerging issues and trends.

Organizers spoke to council on Monday and said they wanted to look at a number of things, including how the pandemic was impacting economic recovery.

Data collection is expected to start in April, with community connection and surveys starting in May and going through July. The final report is due out in October.

The County of Grande Prairie is also contributing $20,000. The MD of Greenview has agreed to kick in another $10,000.

by Curtis Galbraith