A new apartment complex is being proposed for Yorkton, but the developer is looking for city support ahead of construction.
Drew Barnes appeared before the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Jan. 5 to outline plans to develop two 38-unit apartments on two adjacent lots at 350 Gladstone Avenue and 362 Gladstone Avenue.
Barnes, who noted he currently owns five apartment buildings in the city, said they are currently working to construct a pair of buildings in Medicine Hat which would basically mirror what is being proposed for Yorkton.
In a letter to Council, circulated Monday, Barnes stated, “we are prepared to move forward with this project, contingent on securing appropriate funding and necessary approvals. Our proposed timeline is to complete construction within three years.”
Councillor Dustin Brears said it is a positive to see interest in such a project.
“It’s exciting to hear people are interested in building this kind of structure in our city,” he said.
However, Barnes also told Council he would like several incentives to be provided by the city ahead of the project, including;
• Approval to permit a five-storey structure, rather than the current four-storey height zoning limitation, to optimize site use and housing density.
• A five-year property tax exemption following completion.
• A waiver of development costs and off-site levies, recognizing the project’s contribution to the community’s housing supply and economic growth.
• That the City provide hookups for water and sewer services at no cost to reduce upfront infrastructure expenses and encourage timely construction.
In terms of the five-year property tax exemption, Barnes said that is something Medicine Hat offers.
Brears said the city will need to look at what Alberta cities are offering.
“We’ll have to take a look at Medicine Hat and Brooks to see what they’re doing,” he said.
The request was referred to city administration for future recommendations on the varied requests.
