Council approves liquor store application despite concerns raised
The City of Swift Current approved an application for the development of a liquor store, but indicated its intention to address some of the concerns raised by neighbourhood residents.
Council members voted in favour of the application for a change to an existing discretionary land use during a regular City council meeting, Oct. 16.
The application was submitted by Pioneer Co-op with the intention to add a liquor store to its existing retail store operation at the south side food and convenience store location (350 2nd Avenue SE).
The City council decision was the conclusion of an application process that included public notification of nearby property owners and a public hearing during the Sept. 18 meeting.
The City received two letters of support for the liquor store and a petition opposing the application with 13 signatories representing residents of nine dwellings in the immediate area. One of the signatories of the petition spoke at the public hearing to express opposition to the application.
Kathy Dand, the City’s development officer for planning, made a presentation at the Oct. 16 council meeting about the application. She noted that City administration’s review was completed and it recommended the approval of the proposed discretionary use.
She indicated the proposal meets the City’s zoning bylaw regulations, it will not impede orderly development of surrounding properties and it will not create nuisance or danger to the public.
“There are no concerns with the proposed development regarding danger to the public from a land use perspective,” she said. “Many of the concerns raised by the neighbouring residents are also typical throughout the city, even without being located next to commercial uses.”
Dand indicated that she was referring to concerns raised with regard to lane pavement condition, speeding vehicles, snow, noisy vehicles, loud music, property
damage and litter.
She added that concerns related to loud equipment and heavy vehicles during early morning and latenight hours as well as moving snow onto the lane can be dealt with through the noise control and nuisance abatement bylaws.
“Their final concern regarding disrespectful conduct by employees, contractors or vendors is a private matter for the business operator to deal with,” she said.
Councillor Ryan Plewis supported the details of the report presented by Dand and indicated he will vote in favour of the motion to approve the proposed discretionary land use.
“When you compare the concerns of residents against the elements that the City has to make decisions on, I agree with you that it seems like there’s been reasonable provision for dealing with any of those concerns,” Plewis said.
“In my mind this is a development that really isn’t going to change things significantly in that particular area and I think that the applicant in this case has done a pretty good job in the past. I mean, this is
not an unknown applicant
to us. It’s an applicant that has developed numerous properties throughout the city and really without any concern in any other location.”
Councillor Ryan Switzer said that as a south side resident he felt this will be a nice amenity to add to the area.
Mayor Al Bridal expressed his support for the Pioneer Co-op application, but he also read the concerns of area residents.
“We are going to be looking at putting some speed bumps down that alley to slow people down, because that was a major concern,” he said.
He added that the City will be looking at doing snow removal in the alley next to the Pioneer Co-op site when there is significant snowfall.
He mentioned that the City has already been looking at additional traffic control measures in that area before this application was received from Pioneer Co-op due to the traffic volume along 2nd Avenue SE.
The City has applied for different grants to fund the installation of traffic lights at the corner of 2nd Avenue SE and Gladstone Street.