Residents of Muenster had an opportunity to find out about renewal of bylaws and community growth planning at an open house hosted by the Village of Muenster. The informal drop-in event was held on Thursday, October 24 at the Seniors Centre.
It’s a time of renewal and a time to take stock of both recent growth and the potential for future expansion. The Village has been working with consultants, including Crosby Hanna and Associates, Saskatoon based landscape architect and community planning firm on growth plans and models.
“The Village of Muenster has a community plan and a zoning bylaw currently in effect that was created in 1986,” explains Village Administrator Jan Sylvestre,” So it is time to take a look at what these bylaws are guiding us toward and allowing within our community with things changing in our region. So, it’s timely.”
Sylvestre said the come and go event would allow residents to come in and learn what the zoning bylaw is and what changes could occur to facilitate the type of growth and development the community decides on. The community is invited to provide input on the types of things they’d like to see develop and the kinds of regional cooperation they’d like to see happen.
“The open house is a precursor to us putting together the first draft of a new bylaw. So this is an opportunity for the community to come, ask questions, and learn. At a later date, we will be composing an initial draft of a new zoning bylaw.”
That new bylaw will be presented to Council and the community at an open public meeting of Council where suggestions for changes can be made. The aim would be to pass the finished bylaw to apply its standards to future development.
On hand at the meeting were Jim Walters, senior planner with Crosby Hanna, and Ashley Kramer, project planner with the firm. Walters elaborated on one of the graphics displayed at the meeting that showed potential residential or commercial development needing to happen west of the Range Road on Muenster’s west side. Transport infrastructure such as highways and railways prevent eastward growth, while other restrictions on land holdings prohibit growth in other directions.
The graphics are plans presented at the open house are available for viewing by contacting the Muenster Village Office.