North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin listens to residents' concerns and suggestions about the future of the business community during the zoning bylaw open house at the North Battleford Public Library on March 19, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

BUSINESS FRIENDLY FUTURE

Local businesses voice concerns, propose changes at city’s zoning bylaw open house

Mar 20, 2025 | 1:50 PM

Local businesses and residents gathered at the North Battleford Public Library on Wednesday to discuss zoning bylaws, safety concerns, and economic growth at a public open house hosted by the city.

The event was part of the city’s efforts to create a more business-friendly environment, giving residents an opportunity to provide input on potential bylaw changes.

Walter Lorenz, owner of RE/MAX of the Battlefords, said businesses need more flexibility in where they can operate.

“There needs to be some more flexibility in the sense of the need of the businessperson, that’s coming in to do business,” he said. “And how they’re not needing to concentrate in a particular area of the community, which is more driven to downtown.”

Lorenz suggested allowing certain types of commercial activity in high-density residential areas rather than restricting businesses to the downtown core.

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He also pointed to a lack of parking as a major issue limiting business growth downtown and urged the city to make better use of empty lots.

“If you’re limited to the amount of parking you’ve got, you’re only going to be limited to the amount of business that you can really encourage to come into that area of the community,” he said.

Walter Lorenz, owner of RE/MAX of the Battlefords, attends the zoning bylaw open house at the North Battleford Public Library on March 19, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The city recently introduced a five-year tax break for businesses willing to renovate and rebuild properties downtown as part of its revitalization efforts. Lorenz called the policy a step in the right direction but said businesses need long-term support.

READ MORE: North Battleford approves 5-year tax break incentive to revitalize downtown

“It takes time to start up a business,” he said. “You have to look at three to five years, you know, for a business really [to start] producing… the city’s got to recognize that it’s not a one-year or two-year kind of window.”

Paige Hundt, a planner for the RM of Mervin and a Battleford resident, praised the city’s efforts to review and update its zoning bylaws.

“I think the city is doing a really good job at examining their zoning bylaw… and how they can potentially grow to be more representative of what business owners and citizens are looking for,” she said.

City manager Randy Patrick engages with residents during the zoning bylaw open house at the North Battleford Public Library on March 19, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Hundt also supported the city’s efforts to enhance safety downtown, highlighting the new patrol team composed of Mounties, community safety officers, and social agencies.

“The city’s done a really great job, especially recently, rolling out more CSO presence downtown to make people feel more safe,” she said.

READ MORE: Mounties, social agencies team up to tackle downtown safety in North Battleford

Lorenz also backed the patrol team but said more action is needed.

“You almost need it to be 24/7 to really look after safety to the fullest extent,” he said, noting that RCMP officers are often occupied with other priorities outside the city.

“There should be some priority given to them, that downtown safety, school safety, is really where they should be concentrating their efforts, and that creates a different environment when you know it’s being looked after as well.”

Despite the challenges, both Lorenz and Hundt expressed optimism about North Battleford’s future.

“I think the direction that the city is going is definitely in the way of growth,” Hundt said. “They have a really great leadership team, and I think they’ll have lots of success.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com