Council defeats rezoning request

By MorinvilleNews.com Staff

Legal – Third reading of a bylaw that would have rezoned a property on Main Street from commercial to R3 to make way for a proposed 4-plex was unanimously defeated at third reading Monday night. Councillors were unanimous in their desire to see Legal’s commercial properties remain available for commercial purposes, particularly in light of anticipated growth in the region when the Northwest Redwater Partnership’s refinery begins construction next year.

“As soon as you eliminate any kind of commercial property, I think there is a concern Legal is turning into a bedroom community,” said Deputy Mayor Ken Baril. “I think it all depends on jobs and Alberta itself, getting things going here. As soon as you eliminate that commercial, it really eliminates [the possibility] that commercial [opportunities] that can come in here.”

Baril said he felt rezoning the property would pigeonhole the town, and that there is considerable potential for commercial growth in Legal in the years to come.

Councillor Lisa Magera agreed, stating she too preferred to wait and see what’s coming down the pike with respect to the Redwater project in the hopes Legal is able to attract more businesses.

Council had previously given first and second reading to the bylaw and received feedback from a public hearing on the matter. Comments received at the public hearing indicated neighbouring residents would have preferred the property to be fenced in and parking placed in the rear of the building should the rezoning gone ahead.

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