Warman City Council voted unanimously at its December 11 meeting to approve a discretionary use proposal for construction of a four-storey, 96-unit rental apartment complex in the Traditions neighbourhood.
The building will help meet the pressing need for rental accommodation in the city, according to the Warman Planning and Development department. Located at 850 – 1st Avenue North, on a corner lot adjacent to Augusta Boulevard across from Traditions Elementary School, the site is already zoned R3 for multi-unit residential.
The project developer is Broadstreet Properties, with construction by Seymour Pacific Developments Ltd. Both companies are based in Campbell River, BC.
The proposal from the developer ensures the units will be apartments for rent, and not condos for sale.
The building will feature one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartment floor plans. All parking will be above-ground.
Warman City Councillor Marshall Seed said he is voting in favour of the proposal because “it is exactly what council has been looking for” in the way of purpose-built rental projects from developers.
“It’s in a great location,” said Seed. “It’s close to schools and businesses in the area, and it’s already zoned for multi-family residences.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk noted the project is in line with the city’s five-year strategic plan to complete 100 purpose-built rental units by 2025. Construction is expected to begin early in the new year.
Warman Planning and Development Manager Brad Toth told council at the December 11 meeting that the developer also owns another parcel of land on the south side of Augusta Boulevard, with plans to construction an additional rental apartment building on that site as well.
COUNCIL HOLDS THE LINE
Warman City Councillors voted at their December 11 meeting to hold the line on pay raises for themselves.
Councillors voted against a 2% increase in remuneration for the coming year.
The city currently has an indemnity policy of automatic 2% increases to councillor’s and mayor’s remuneration for meetings and other council-related work. The policy was implemented in 2013 and reviewed and updated annually.
A motion introduced at the December 11 meeting by City Councillor Marshall Seed proposed that council “forego the automatic 2% increase this year.” The motion was seconded by councillor Shaun Cripps.
Seed said that while the amount of money involved is very small, the gesture of restraint is needed at a time when many residents are feeling squeezed by inflation.
“This is a way of showing that we’re taking the need to keep unnecessary costs to a minimum,” said Seed.
Councillor Kevin Tooley said while he respects the reasons behind the motion, he expressed concern that the action may set a precedent.
“This is a bit short-sighted,” said Tooley. “The policy was put in place to help ensure that people who serve on council are compensated for their time and energy. Future councils may have to make up the shortfall.”
ZAMBONI FLEET EXPANDS
Warman City Council voted at its December 11 meeting to approve the purchase of a used Zamboni from the Town of Dalmeny.
Warman Recreation and Community Services Manager Paul McGonigal presented council with a proposal to buy the machine at the meeting.
“The Town of Dalmeny recently purchased a new electric Zamboni,” said McGonigal. “They didn’t get the price they were hoping to get on a trade-in, so they chose to sell it. We got a phone call asking if we were interested.
“Our staff went and looked at it, and it’s very well-maintained and has relatively low hours.”
McGonigal recommended that funds for the purchase of a truck, which had previously been approved by council, be reallocated to purchase the used zamboni. The machine would be used at the new outdoor rink at RJ Gidluck Park. It will also be used as a backup machine for the indoor rinks.
The addition of the machine would bring the City of Warman ice-flooding machine fleet to five, including a rear-mount tractor unit that will be used to flood the Lions Park outdoor skating rink.