After hearing from approximately 120 people over two days at a Public Hearing to discuss the potential redevelopment plan to pursue a multi-family residential development in the Waskasoo area, Council voted not to approve the rezoning or the changes to the Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP).
The Waskasoo Community Association and several other community groups’ and residents in attendance concerns focused on the consistency of the proposal with the Waskasoo ARP, along with the potential impacts on the community, the built environment, and the natural environment.
This area was originally part of Glenmere Farms and then part of the A-20 Army Camp during World War II. Later, it was part of the River Glen School site under the Chinook’s Edge School Division. The school land was subdivided in 2015 and sold to Chinook Edge School District, which subsequently sold the subject lot to East Lincoln Properties Corporation in 2020.
On April 3, Council gave first reading to Bylaw 3357/A-2023 (an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw to rezone a parcel in Waskasoo from the PS – Public Service District to the R3 – Residential (Multiple Family) District for a multi-family residential development and Bylaw 3567/A-2023 (an amendment to the Waskasoo ARP to accommodate the rezoning and future proposed development). A Public Hearing was then set as a Special Council Meeting on May 3, which continued into May 4.
Not approving this rezoning and ARP amendment means that this area can not be developed under R3 – Residential (Multiple Family) District, and the landowner will not pursue a multi-family residential development on this parcel of land at this time.
Following the decision today, the developer can reapply within six months with the same application or with modifications to the application. The land remains privately owned with Public Service zoning that allows many types of developments.