OLDS — Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) chair Rudy Durieux says the panel has to be careful that it doesn’t become too dictatorial when approving or denying proposed business applications.
Durieux made that point when discussing two applications that came before the MPC on Aug. 20.
One was an application to operate a beauty salon in a residential neighbourhood.
A couple living next door to the proposed business said they’d be OK with the business operating, provided several conditions were met, including hours of operation and preventing anyone from blocking their driveway when parking.
Commissioners discussed that application and the concerns raised by the adjacent home owners for more than 25 minutes before eventually defeating a couple of motions that would have changed the conditions for approving it.
In the end, the proposal was approved by a 4-2 vote.
Two carports proposed for the Mountain View Seniors Housing (MVSH) lodge along 50th Street were also approved.
However, during debate on that application, concern was raised that the carports may not be aesthetically pleasing.
Operations director Scott Chant said planning department officials are confident the carports will indeed be aesthetically suitable, noting they’ve never had any concerns about the look of Mountain View Seniors Housing facilities in the past.
During an interview, Durieux said he was surprised how much discussion the hair salon application generated, given the fact the MPC has dealt with several other similar applications with little or no debate.
“I do think we have to be careful that we don’t try to manhandle if you will, what the applicant is attempting to do with their own business in their own house,” Durieux said.
At the same time, he said, the MPC has an obligation to maintain the quality of life in residential neighbourhoods.
“There’s a fine line there and I think that’s important – that we recognize that line and be able to deal with it,” Durieux added.
“So yeah, it can really get out of hand and I think we have to be careful that we maintain the right atmosphere in our community.”
As for the aesthetics of the carports, like Chant, Durieux is confident MVSH will ensure that facility looks good.
“We have a bit of faith if you will in them, or trust in them, that what they’re going to construct or put up for carports or however they’re going to devise it, will be in keeping with what they’ve done previously,” he said.
