With two more multi-unit dwelling applications before Town of Battleford's council, Mayor Chris Odishaw would like to set firm guidelines for future applications.
"I feel uncomfortable making decisions on an individual basis," said Odishaw. "I would like to come up with some sort of policy."
In the R2 residential zone, single-unit and double-unit (duplex) dwellings are permitted, but anything over that is considered a discretionary use and must receive council's approval.
"I don't like that they're discretionary - either you're going to allow them or not," said Odishaw, adding the applications received to date, including the ones currently before council, have been for four-plexes.
"To this date, we've approved every single one," he said.
However, council won't be making a decision on the current applications until they consult the community planners for some direction.
"The world is changing and density is becoming something everyone's looking at," said Odishaw. "Uraban sprawl is expensive."
Odishaw checked with the developers, both of whom were present at the council meeting, to ensure tabling the decision until their next council meeting, in two week's time, would not hold up their construction plans.
He explained the council wants to promote growth in the town, and has actively done so, but doesn't want to do so at the expense of current residents.
"We have to grow our community, but we also have to make sure it's safe and sustainable and comfortable for residents," said Odishaw. "We represent first and foremost the residents of our community."
The two proposals before council are for four-plexes at 191-16 St. West, and 342-30 St. West. After notifying residents within the required 75 meter radius of the property in question, the Town received two letters of concern for each development.
One of the letters regarding the four-plex on 16th Street indicated a concern over available parking space, while the other letter expressed concern only if the units were rented as opposed to sold.
"Landlords typically only do the bare minimum when it comes to regular upkeep and maintenance, and it is our fear that a few years down the road, we could very well be looking at an unsightly dwelling badly in need of repair," wrote Tim and Linda Popp.
One of the letters received concerning the property on 30th Street, being developed by the Battleford Urban Native Housing Corp., was concerned with traffic and the resulting dust it would cause on an unpaved road.
"I still question why we have any dirt roads within the town," commented Odishaw.
The other letter expressed concerned about the potential occupants. Deanne O'Quinn explained she had moved to Battleford from North Battleford to escape the constant noise and vandalism she experienced living next to a native housing unit there.
"We moved back to Battleford for peace and quiet - now you are going to reduce the selling price of our houses and force us to leave again!," O'Quinn wrote.
Both developers expressed their intent to sell the units, saying they would only rent if unable to sell.
Joyce Schwab, manager of the Battleford Urban Native Housing Corp., emphasized the four-plex would not be low-income housing.
"It would be working people who wouldn't qualify for affordable housing," she said, explaining there are a number of people who come to North Battleford to work, but can't find accommodation and end up living in a hotel. Some of these workers also have families living on reserves, she said.
"If they can find a place for their family to live, then their wives can get jobs," she said.
"They're getting lost in the cracks," she said.
Lack of accommodations in the Battlefords is a problem Odishaw is aware of.
"We need more housing," he said. "There's a huge demand in the Battlefords."
