ESTEVAN - Estevan city council gave second and third readings to a bylaw on Aug. 19 that will allow for the construction of a new daycare in the city's northwest corner.
In a report to council, land development services manager Richard Neufeld said the bylaw would rezone and consolidate the three westernmost lots so that the daycare could be constructed. Neufeld noted that as of the meeting date, no objections or inquiries to the proposal have been received by land development. Under the terms of the proposed bylaw, a development permit for a care on the property would have to be issued.
City manager Jeff Ward said he received one comment on why the city would take residential lots and convert them. The person suggested a location north of Pleasantdale School for this type of facility.
"We have worked with the school division. There's a lot of hoops to jump through at this point," said Ward.
Coun. Shelly Veroba noted the location around Pleasantdale would be a good idea, since the daycare would be near two schools, but there is also a busing system that goes to the other daycares in Estevan.
Veroba also called for an adequate parking lot, especially since Wellock Road can be a busy route. Neufeld said the designs call for a fair amount of parking.
During a public hearing at the meeting, nobody stepped forward with concerns.
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Matthew Stepp stepped down as the city's building official, effective Aug. 9. In his resignation letter, Stepp said he has another job opportunity that will allow him to gain the experience and confidence in achieving his Class 3 building official's licence.
Stepp wrote he has enjoyed his time at the city and appreciates the opportunities that he has been provided.
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Council gave an extension to the proponent of the proposed biomass electrical generating facility, located on a quarter-section of city-owned land east of the Estevan Comprehensive School.
In a report to council, Neufeld noted the proponent has been working on other elements of the proposal with third parties.
"In recent discussions with the proponent, it appears that the project might be ready to proceed to the next stage in the near future. To facilitate further work on the project, a time extension is required to keep the subdivision decision active."
Neufeld believes a time extension to June 20, 2025, should allow for sufficient time to move this project forward.
"We are hoping to have some good news in the next number of weeks here, in September," said Neufeld. "With this extension, this allows administration to continue with the background on the background tasks on this project while we go through the municipal election and all of the tasks the new election will have."
Mayor Roy Ludwig noted the biomass facility would be about 40 megawatts and it would produce clean electricity from straw.
Coun. Rebecca Foord said the project has come a long way in the past couple of years, and it is getting closer to the finish line.
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The monthly water quality report for July shows the city treated more than 188.5 million litres of water and pumped over 182.5 million litres into the distribution system. There were no plant upsets and all regulated parameters for drinking water were met. The taste and odor issues have subsided and water has returned to normal.
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The building permit report for July shows three permits worth $118,000 were issued, bringing the total for the year to 23 permits worth nearly $5.9 million. All three permits for the month were classified as miscellaneous.
