WEYBURN – The City of Weyburn’s Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw were amended by city council to change the zoning of a parcel on Fifth Avenue North for the new hospital.
The proposal is for the Saskatchewan Health Authority to build the new Weyburn hospital on the location, and a new zone and land use designation were created for the land parcel in question to accommodate the facility.
After it was first introduced at the Nov. 14 council meeting, notices went out and people in the neighbourhood could comment or raise concerns.
A group of residents in Fieldstone Estates responded with some concerns about having a new hospital just east of their area, including not being in on any consultations about what is being planned for the parcel.
Development officer Janine Fletcher said in her report to council they had to follow the process with the Sask. Health Authority and SaskBuilds and Procurement.
They also raised concerns about the walking-bicycle path along Fifth Avenue, safety in nearby school zones, noise levels, lift station capacity, views from their backyards, and the ability to enjoy their properties.
A traffic study was done by SHA, and it did not identify any areas of concern in that area. There was also a study on the lift station capacity, and improvements to the facility were identified. The improvements will be undertaken by the developer at their cost which should improve the service of the lift station.
Part of the changes made to the bylaw also is to change the fence height requirements, and to protect the buffer for the multi-use path as city parks and open space. There is also to be a buffer area between the hospital site and the Fieldstone Estates area.
The Parks department is also looking at planting trees and vegetation to help screen the hospital and heliport from the residents.
