Humboldt City Council approved a recommendation to communicate its concerns to the RM of Humboldt over a recent query regarding a rezoning proposal. In its communication to the City, the RM indicated it is exploring a zoning change to a parcel of land bordering on the city boundary. The parcel in question is part of the area designated the Kloppenberg Land south of Highway 5 and west of Peck Road, adjacent to CIM. 

According to information provided in the City’s recommendation report, the RM’s intent is to rezone the parcel as commercial to accommodate a proposed salvage yard. The City sought to respond to notification of a public notice, dated September 29, that outlined the proposal. The RM is seeking to redesignate the parcel from agricultural to commercial use and to include salvage yards in its zoning definitions as falling under “discretionary use.”

Among the concerns outlined in the report, prepared by City Planning Manager Frank Carpentieri, is that the City’s Official Community Plan has targeted the parcel and the area south as a potential residential district in the event of future annexation should the City agree. The rezoning of the parcel might also open the door to future such commercial developments, which the report notes might be considered “visually unappealing.”

The fact that the proposed commercial enterprise would reside outside the City’s jurisdiction means that it would have no recourse to apply nuisance or maintenance bylaws should the need arise, the report states. The final concern expressed was around drainage which the City would have no responsibility to remediate if necessary.

In the end, Council agreed to allow the City to communicate its concerns about the proposed bylaw change directly to the RM of Humboldt by letter. A public meeting to be hosted by the RM is scheduled for November 8.