One conversation during Monday night's city council meeting included discussions around a new taxi service coming to the city, with the assembled councillors voting on whether to accept the motion. The service, replacing a former locksmithing business at 326 4th Street, was seeking a development permit from the city, as well as recognition that they are within City Tax Bylaw and provincial regulatory standards.
Land Development Services considered their request, looking at the issue and making a recommendation, while noting that the Council had final approval.
While currently there are four taxi services operating in Estevan, the Land Development Services report states that the new taxi company will be taking the place of M & H Taxi, which is closing down. M & H Taxi was previously located at 913 5th Street, with the owner stating that he wished to expand the company to multiple vehicles in the future.
A referral was sent out to neighbouring residential and commercial properties, with the city receiving no comments on the potential business.
Land Development Services stated that the property conforms to technical requirements for use as a taxi operation, and subsequently recommended that the council approve the development permit for the business.
Councillor Shelley Veroba said she was thankful to see businesses sprout on 4th Street.
"I think this is a great idea because that business has actually sat vacant, and because it's on 4th Street, it doesn't look that good with being vacant. So I think it's a great idea and definitely support it."
The council voted unanimously to pass a motion giving the development permit to the service.