City Says Negotiations Solved Daycare Parking Controversy
By Robert Thomas
It was a major concern for more than a few neighbours back in October 2021 when a discretionary use application came before Council regarding a daycare’s plans to expand and convert an apartment block adjacent to it on 7th Avenue NW into a daycare.
At that time City Council approved the discretionary use permit Administration put forth the proposal they volunteered to help mediate between the neighbourhood parties - business and residents.
As part of that mediation a non-parking sign has been erected to prevent daycare clients blocking a resident’s driveway.
Signage now posted to help prevent Daycare client’s from blocking a neighbour’s driveway - photo by Garret DeLaurier
Giving the seemingly precedent setting mediation being offered by the City we asked e-mail Administration how the mediation in the end turned out.
Below here are the responses provided by City of Moose Jaw communications manager Craig Hemmingway in bold type to MJ Independent’s (MJI) questions:
MJI 1. At the Council meeting there was a mention about the City being an intermediary between the daycare and the neighbour's- can you share the results of those action(s)?
The City worked with the neighbour to get “Do Not Block Driveway” signage installed in front of their property.
MJI 2. Will the City have anymore involvement with the parties?
No, the City and the neighbour were able to come to an agreement.
MJI 3. Given that the daycare owner indicated she will not be increasing her capacity when she spoke to Council what happens if she does? Does the City have something in their discretionary use policy to prevent this?
If capacity increases, there would be issues with parking that could not be met so the City would not permit an increase for more than 30 children.
MJI 4. Under the City's discretionary use policy is it possible to appeal a decision made by Council?
Discretionary Uses or land use in general is not appealable. Where Council has approved an application for a discretionary use, with prescribed development standards pursuant to the Zoning Bylaw, the applicant shall be advised that any development standard considered to be excessive may be appealed to the Development Appeals Board.
A photo shows the signage now erected by the City to help prevent Daycare clients from blocking a neighbour’s driveway - photo by Garret DeLaurier
MJI 5. When it comes to the properties - I believe there are not two but three possibly involved (the one just south of the recent discretionary use agreement) - are they considered as a unit or as separate properties and could a second discretionary use policy be submitted?
I’m not completely understanding the question. The two properties to the north are considered separate properties and had separate discretionary use applications. The third building to the south was formerly a daycare but is now a single detached house. They are all separate properties and would require separate applications for each.
MJI 6. Will the City consider making a possible no parking zone and painting the curb white to prevent people using the daycare - the majority of whom do not live in the neighborhood- from blocking the homeowner's driveway?
The City installed “Do not block driveway” signage.
MJI 7. After the City offered to resolve this issue, is the City satisfied with the process or in the future is it something they would consider doing?
I believe the process worked and satisfied the neighbours and the daycare.
MJI 8. Do you have anything to add?
NO RESPONSE FROM THE CITY OF MOOSE JAW WAS PROVIDED FOR THIS QUESTION.
Editor’s Note: As part of full disclosure the writer of this story has a relative whose home may be directly impacted by the Daycare clients’ parking.