Thirteen single-lots (shown in bold-dashed lines) are proposed in the subdivision plan. (Submitted/RM of Meota)

By Angela Brown

13 residential lots proposed

RM of Meota council eyeing subdivision proposal for property near Day’s Beach

May 4, 2021 | 11:34 AM

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Meota council will consider a discretionary land-use application at its meeting Wednesday that involves a proposal from a developer to create a subdivision near Day’s Beach, at the South-East end of Jackfish Lake.

The developer is proposing 13 new single-lots be established on the east side of Lakeview Avenue, that would essentially be located in a back row as lakeshore residential properties, behind the existing lakefront properties.

The application would require the property be rezoned from agricultural to lakeshore residential.

A map indicating Day’s Beach near where the proposed subdivision will be located. (Google Maps)

The RM is having a public hearing May 5 at 1:30 p.m. to hear from anyone who wants to comment on the proposed zoning bylaw amendment and subdivision. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, individuals were required to contact the RM office in advance, by May 3 for in-person representation.

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RM of Meota Reeve Sherry Jimmy said some of the properties in the proposed subdivision currently have existing structures on them such as garages. So the first objective would be to bring these non-conforming properties into compliance with the zoning bylaw.

“Because the parcels of land are immediately adjacent to an organized hamlet, if this is approved the RM would be adding this subdivision into the hamlet. So it’s effectively transitioning agricultural-zoned land to lakeshore residential properties,” she said.

Jimmy added council will be able to address any land-use proposed, not currently permitted under the existing zoning bylaw.

“Council has the opportunity to review the discretionary-use application and have a public hearing, so that we hear from the people in terms of what they would like to see in that area,” she said. “That’s one of the considerations that council has to [be mindful of,] in looking at a subdivision application of this nature. We also have to look at compliance with our official community plan, the zoning bylaw and any infrastructure requirements. Then, make a decision based on all of those factors, including the feedback we get from the public hearing and the people that have submitted written submissions.”

She expects the public may have differing views on the proposal.

“You are always going to have people that are opposed to something like this, and you are always going to have people that are in favour of it,” Jimmy said. “It’s up to council to try to balance the interests against the Official Community Plan, our zoning bylaw, and our long-term strategic plan.”

She added there appears to be much more interest in property at the lake at the current time.

“Right now particularly in COVID days, people are wanting to acquire land at the lake,” Jimmy said. “Property at the lake has appreciated, and it’s not sitting there vacant like it was in previous years. So [the proposed] creation of these additional lots, I would guess the developer has done his homework and knows that there is a demand.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow