A map shows the location of city-owned land at 2430 Buhler Avenue in North Battleford, where city council has approved the sale of up to two acres for a proposed four-storey apartment development. (screenshot/Google Map)

By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

North Battleford approves land sale, tax break for 60-plus-unit apartment project

Jan 23, 2026 | 2:27 PM

North Battleford city council has approved the sale of up to two acres of city-owned land on Buhler Avenue to PG Brar Investment Group for a planned four-storey apartment development.

Council voted unanimously Friday to approve the offer to purchase land at 2430 Buhler Avenue at a price of $3.35 per square foot, for a minimum of 1.8 acres and a maximum of two acres, during a special council meeting.

City manager Randy Patrick told council the developer is planning to build a four-storey apartment building with more than 60 rental units on the site.

Patrick said the developer, which already owns and operates the apartment building immediately west of the site, also addressed access concerns raised by the fire department.

“This will actually fix that problem,” he said, referring to difficulties fire trucks have experienced navigating the existing property. “I talked with the chief. … He’s quite happy with that.”

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Under the approved resolution, the sale includes a two-year commencement condition requiring a substantial start on construction of the apartment building. If that condition is not met, the land would revert to the city and the city would refund the sale proceeds to the purchaser, less a 15 per cent deduction.

Council also approved a four-year tax incentive covering 100 per cent of the municipal portion of property taxes on the land and building improvements, beginning upon title transfer.

Mayor Kelli Hawtin clarified the timing of the incentive during the meeting.

“That is in our resolution that the four year tax incentive was start upon title transfer — when we sell the bare land,” she said.

Patrick told council the tax incentive would not immediately reduce city revenue because the land currently generates no taxes.

“And right now, we’re giving up nothing because there’s no tax coming from that,” he said.

The city will be responsible for extending infrastructure to service the development, including road access and utilities. The projected cost of servicing was estimated at approximately $450,000, including contingency, PST and GST.

The work would also allow servicing of land on the opposite side of the road.

Hawtin said the investment could unlock future growth nearby.

“This servicing will also open up development on the north side of the road for multifamily as well,” she said.

Administration told council the exact timeline for recovering servicing costs cannot yet be confirmed, as estimates are based on available construction data.

Council approved the resolution without amendment.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com