Appeals board approves one project that contravenes zoning bylaw,

Rejects A Second Request

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Thul pointed out that other properties in the neighbourhood have large accessory buildings and have been granted similar variances.

After reviewing the situation, the appeals board granted Thul’s variance request for three reasons:

It would not be a special privilege because the board would grant a similar appeal to other property owners in similar neighbourhoods

It would not be a relaxation of the zoning bylaw because granting the appeal would not hinder the health, safety or general welfare of the surrounding community but could enhance the variety and efficient use of land

It would not injuriously affect the neighbourhood since there were no objections from area property owners 45 High Street West Lowry owns properties at 41 and 45 High Street West and the business owner at 45 High Street West wants to install a projecting sign to increase the business’ visibility.

The proposed sign would be the second one on the same site, which has a frontage of 15.24 metres.

Lowry argued that this proposal should be considered considering the commercial spaces at those addresses are, in essence, separate sites but technically on the same land title.

According to the zoning bylaw, a maximum of one projecting sign is permitted in the C2 district except where the site frontage along any street exceeds 90 metres, in which case two projecting signs would be permitted.

After reviewing the situation, the appeals board denied Lowry’s variance request for three reasons:

Granting the appeal would give Lowry a special privilege inconsistent with the zoning bylaw’s restrictions, especially since these are historic downtown buildings with a historic aesthetic and no similar variances in the C2 district had been granted recently

It would defeat the zoning bylaw’s provisions because the two proposed signs might not maintain the neighbourhood’s historic look, while this could set a negative precedent that other downtown businesses could follow

· It would injuriously affect the neighbourhood since it could result in unreasonable interference in the use and enjoyment of existing properties

SaskPower gets OK to build transmission line in industrial park

Construction continues on SaskPower’s Great Plains Power Station, but to power the plant, the Crown corporation needs to build a transmission line near city boundaries.

SaskPower recently submitted a subdivision application to city hall to install a power transmission line in the agri-food industrial park. According to The Planning and Development Act, an easement for a transmission line within five kilometres of city limits is considered a subdividing instrument and requires council approval.

Council received the subdivision application during its May 8 regular meeting and unanimously voted to approve SaskPower’s plan for a right of way/easement in

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

the industrial park.

The proposed transmission line will mostly be located within the Rural Municipality of Moose Jaw. On behalf of the RM, the Ministry of Government Relations’ community planning branch approved the proposal in September 2021.

According to a council report, the transmission easement is located on city lands that currently maintain the RM of Moose Jaw’s zoning of agricultural resource district. The City of Moose Jaw’s future land use map identifies the long-term land use of this area as heavy industrial.

City hall has no concerns with this proposed project since it won’t affect any municipal services, a coun- cil report said. Instead, it will come within 700 metres of the sewage lagoon, be adjacent to the power station, cut through undeveloped residential lots, and come within 500 metres of the Moose Jaw Creek.

The transmission line will also cross Corsterphine Avenue and affect a small portion of city property on the east side.

Furthermore, the municipality has referred the proposed transmission line easement to relevant utility companies for comment, but none have been received to date, the report said. SaskPower has paid the $450 application fee and will cover all costs associated with the subdivision.