Council recently approved the Centre City Enterprise Area initiative.
As a result, applicants in the Centre City area (Beltline and Downtown) will no longer require a development permit for changes of use, exterior alterations and small additions. The purpose of the initiative is to encourage pop-up businesses in currently underutilized spaces in the Centre City area and allow additions of a certain area to be exempt.
Specifically, the proposed bylaw amendment 30P2017 will do the following:
- Establish the boundary of the Enterprise Area – it does not include East Village, Chinatown and most of Eau Claire
- Deletes the requirement for a development permit for a change of use within the Enterprise Area, provided it is a listed use in the district
- Deletes the requirement for a development permit for an alteration or addition less than 1,000 square metres in size, provided it complies with the rules of Land Use Bylaw 1P2007
Some important limitations that have been added to the bylaw include:
- Custodial Care, Liquor Stores, Medical Marihuana Counselling, Nightclub, Pawn Shop, Payday Loan uses will still require a development permit
- Properties that are on the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resource will still require a development permit for alterations and additions (but not for changes of use)
- Certain sensitive uses within 30 metres of a rail corridor will still require a development permit
If you have any further questions about the Centre City Enterprise Area, please contact Planning Services Centre at 403-268-5311.