Council asking for safety report prior to considering rezoning 24/7 Hub property

Christina Max
Jan 13, 2021  •  6 days ago  •  2 minute read
Council has delayed second and third reading of a rezoning bylaw until Administration comes back with a report to mitigate the concerns of residents and businesses.
Council has delayed second and third reading of a rezoning bylaw until Administration comes back with a report to mitigate the concerns of residents and businesses. Photo by Times file photo /jpg, WK

The decision to rezone Wetaskiwin’s Civic Building to enable the Open Door Integrated Hub at that location until a better location is found is on hold.

At the Jan. 11 regular City Council meeting, Council held a Public Hearing to rezone the property at 4904 51 St. from C1-Downtown Commercial to DC-Direct Control.

“There is no zoning in the City that allows for this kind of usage,” said Andrew Chell, manager of Planning and Engineering. “But, when we looked at it, Direct Control was the best option as the City would have control over anything that happened on the property.”

During the public hearing, Council received 17 letters from area businesses and residents who were generally concerned about the behaviour of the clients accessing the 24/7 Hub — including drug and alcohol use in public, loitering in door wells of stores or bank lobbies, violence and aggressive behaviour.

Additionally, area business owners have noticed a change in customer behaviour with more people opting to go into the store, do what they need to do and leave, rather than window shop or meander along Main Street.

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Tina Sjwed of Dance F/X said the don’t want to see anybody out in the cold but her clients are three- to 18-year-old children and youths and she is concerned for their safety as they are very close to the Hub.

“These are my kids and I worry about their safety,” she said. “I feel like we’re being left to deal with (these safety issues) one our own. We’re feel alone.”

She suggested the possibility of adding security patrols to the area.

Mark Elder, owner of Jasper’s Studio said he’s frustrated by the fact the behaviour of Hub clients and Wetaskiwin’s homeless is being ignored when it would be by other members of the community. This includes drinking and drug use as well as defecating and urinating in public.

“Nobody else can do this in town. This is ridiculous.”

Additionally, Elder said he’s had to keep clients in his business until incidents occurring on the street have moved on.

“I’m done with this guys.”

Rather than give second and third reading to the bylaw, Council unanimously passed a motion to have City Administration work with the RCMP and Community Peace Officers to develop a plan to address the concerns of the public. This plan will include stakeholder consultation and be brought the Feb. 8 Committee of the Whole meeting.

While this is being done, the City will continue to renew the State of Local Emergency on a weekly basis at this time.