By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice
KINDERSLEY – The Town of Kindersley council began the process to allow a defunct motel in the community to be redeveloped as affordable housing. The first reading of the necessary bylaw amendment was passed at the Oct. 26 regular meeting of council.
Director of Infrastructure and Development Chad Levitt presented councillors with zoning bylaw amendment 11-26 which proposed to add the discretionary use of “dwellings, multiple unit” to the C3 highway commercial district and stated during his presentation it applied directly to the defunct H&G Motel.
Levitt stated the owner of the property approached the Town of Kindersley with the idea to redevelop the shuttered motel into affordable housing. “Council and administration see this change as a way to address the affordable housing shortage issue facing Kindersley,” stated the staff memo.
It was noted Kindersley’s zoning bylaw as it stands wouldn’t permit that, so the amendment was proposed. Levitt stated town staff and the motel owner have been working together and the proposed amendment would make the motel’s residential units a discretionary use for the C3 district.
Readers should note a permitted use is one that is usually automatically approved when bylaws and conditions are met, whereas a discretionary use is one that may be approved by a resolution of council.
As councillors discussed the amendment it was observed that the bylaw may allow other property owners to propose similar developments, but Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Marty Baroni observed that a discretionary use means council always has the final say over approval.
Councillors unanimously approved first reading; the amendment will now be publicly advertised and return for consideration at a future council meeting.
As Baroni presented the September financial report he noted that the RCMP have submitted their 2026 invoice and it revealed RCMP billing was going up by about 20 per cent.
Baroni stated that the provincial government already noted it’s phasing that increase in over time in the form of a five per cent hike each year beginning in 2026.
Baroni also observed that Kindersley’s RCMP bill was larger than was accounted for in the budget by about $15,000.
During the presentation of accounts Mayor Ken Francis stated that an item recently came up which should be mentioned, specifically the town securing goods and services locally when there is more than one vendor.
Francis stated the Town of Kindersley is looking at potentially not changing the municipal policy but perhaps looking at the issue differently and developing a fee structure for multiple entities in town that offer similar goods or services.
The mayor noted the intent is to ensure Kindersley’s taxpayers get the best deal possible while supporting local business.
Councillors suspended the regular council meeting to hold a public hearing for Bylaw 10-26, which was an amendment to the town’s zoning bylaw. The amendment proposed to change the zoning of 604 12th Ave. E. from C4 to C3 zoning to better reflect its use.
No members of the public were in attendance and staff confirmed no correspondence had been received regarding this amendment. The public hearing was closed.
Councillors unanimously passed both second and third readings of Bylaw 10-26, bringing it into force.