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Commercial parking lot proposed for Riverside Meadows

City council delays decision to explore more options
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City council asked administration to explore more options to deal with a request to build a temporary 20-stall commercial parking lot on a residential street in Riverside Meadows.

The proposal went before council on Tuesday for a site exception because a parking lot was not a use listed for the district, nor was it consistent with the long-term vision or the land use designation of Riverside Meadows Area Redevelopment Plan or Riverside Meadows Community Plan &Residential Design Criteria.

In a letter to the planning department, Riverside Meadows Community Association said it was opposed to a parking lot at 5917 51st Ave.

Council heard that in June the applicant got a permit to demolish and remove a single-family dwelling and detached garage at the site and construction began on a parking lot without the proper permits or approvals. A stop work order was issued June 24.

Currently the site is fenced to prevent its use.

The applicant, who owns the nearby Occu-Dent Professional Centre, wants to eventually build a 12-suite residential building with two levels of secured parking with the intention of making some parking spaces available to staff at Occu-Dent.

Developing a parking lot on the site for up to five years would provide temporary parking for staff at Occu-Dent. Occu-Dent currently has 36 parking stalls that include 20 stalls for customers which is not a city requirement, but rather the choice of the landowner.

The owner said more parking is needed for the more than 50 staff at the centre that attracts about 100 customers each day.

The city’s planning department recommended city council defeat the proposed amendment of the Land Use Bylaw to allow the parking lot at first reading.

City planners said a parking lot is not a suitable use for the middle of residential block. Additional noise, lighting and traffic would impact residents.

Additional parking was also not a city requirement for Occu-Dent. The number of parking spaces is consistent with the Land Use Bylaw requirements.

Instead of defeating the amendment, council unanimously requested the issue be tabled for up to four weeks to look at more options.

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com