(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Consultation and communication

City looking to change public notice rules for controversial developments

May 12, 2021 | 2:08 PM

Prince Albert city council is looking to increase public notice before voting on some controversial developments like residential care homes.

The move comes after council denied an application for a supportive housing complex in West Hill after residents raised concerns the facility would make the area less safe.

At the time, the councillor representing the ward, Ted Zurakowski said he believed if the consultative process had been longer and involved, the project could have gained the neighourhood’s support.

“I think asking people to become involved in a very short period of time, people become wary of what they don’t know,” he said during the March meeting.

At Monday’s meeting, the city’s director of planning and development services, Craig Guidinger told council “it’s no secret that public notice with some of our more controversial uses has been a controversial topic in itself.”

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In an effort to improve the process, Guidinger proposed sending letters to residents living within 150 meters of the property in question, instead of the current 75 meter radius in use now.

“That distance will never be perfect,” Guidinger said. “Every jurisdiction you go to will always have those public notice issues but I feel like 150 meters for those more contentious land uses certainly gets us to where we want to be.”

The proposed changes will also require a public meeting to be held before council votes on developments the planning department deems controversial.

Council tentatively agreed to the proposed changes on Monday. The matter will be up for a final vote at an upcoming council meeting.

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alison.sandstrom@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alisandstrom