The Estevan City Council met to discuss a rezoning bylaw which would lead to the development of a new multi-unit complex along Wellock Road, in a development area known as The Meadows. The company set to do construction on the unit, Sector 1 Construction, in concert with their own development wing in Verity Developments, who work with the original property owners, Essex Developments, held an open house a couple of weeks ago, discussing the development and listening to community concerns.
One of the biggest concerns, heard both at that open meeting and the public hearing at the Council meeting, was that the area was moving from R1, or single-family, zoning to R4, or mixed-use, zoning.
Other common criticisms of the move included increased impact on local traffic and sewer systems, aesthetic differences with the change, and what they saw as a lack of communication between the developers and the community.
As Councillor Kirsten Walliser recused herself, due to her friendship with the developer, an initial motion was made to refuse the request to rezone, with Councillors Shelley Veroba, David Elliot, and Brian Johnson voting for, while Councillors Tom Mauss, Mathew Dubowski, and Mayor Tony Sernick voted against the motion. As the motion did not reach quorum, it failed.
Councillor Tom Mauss then suggested they adopt the second reading of the bylaw and wait for more information from the developer before making a final choice. Land Development Services Manager Richard Neufeld, who was in attendance, stated that the second reading is usually done when the Council has all possible information, and instead suggested that the Council table the bylaw until more information could be gathered.
The assembled councillors agreed to table the bylaw, with the motion passing unanimously, as they hoped to get more information on the topic before the next Estevan City Council meeting on September 8th.
The whole topic was fairly complex, with a lot of moving parts and context needing to be added by city officials, but Veroba says the new councillors handled it well.
"I think actually that's one of the issues with being a first-time councillor. I had my turn at it, too, and sometimes, even as a third-term councillor, we all have to ask questions. That's where the management team comes into play. They are the professionals who have all of the education, and we do our best to maneuver our way around and get educated as we need to on each issue that comes before the Council."
Veroba says she hopes the process continues and more people can have their questions answered as more information comes to light.