BARRHEAD - The Barrhead and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) will need to continue its search for a building that can meet its program requirements.
On July 24, during a special council meeting, Town of Barrhead councillors rejected a request from the not-for-profit society to rezone the old Home Hardware Building Centre building on 61st Avenue in the municipality's industrial section by amending the Land-use Bylaw (LUB).
To permit use, the council would have to approve an addition to the M1-Industrial zoning, which would include "quasi-public" as one of the zone's discretionary uses.
In the agenda package, it was stated that FCSS had placed a tentative offer on the property, pending zoning approval, and that the building would be used for community outreach services, counselling and support programming, hosting educational and skills-based workshops, as well as administration offices.
Permitted uses in M1-Industrial include: accessory buildings and manufacturing and retail services; outdoor sales and services; and public utility buildings.
A "quasi-public use" is defined as a development which is used for the meeting, social or recreational activities of its members, which may or may not include the general public. Typical uses include commercial schools, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, hospitals, lodges, clubs, cemeteries, galleries, museums, and libraries, as well as any use that may be described as an eating or drinking establishment in conjunction with the aforementioned uses.
In a letter included in their application, FCSS stated that it ensures the accessibility and safety of its patrons by identifying safe routes, avoiding heavy traffic and industrial congestion.
They also noted that FCSS is collaborating with its transportation and other community partners to ensure that clients who do not drive can still access FCSS programming. Currently, Barrhead FCSS offices are in the town's downtown area on 51st Street.
FCSS added that all the programming would take place on-site, with no spill-over into neighbouring neighbourhoods. They stated that they would promote alternative traffic routes and develop a comprehensive emergency plan, including detailed evacuation procedures.
They also stated that they believed the quasi-public zoning was appropriate for the property, noting that their planned usage for the property is similar to that of the hotel located almost across the roadway.
Chief administrative officer Collin Steffes, after the meeting, stated that administration recommended council deny the request in large part due to a report from the municipality's planning services contractor.
The report noted that if council granted FCSS' request, they did not anticipate any negative impact from the organization's activities.
However, they did note that the addition of a new discretionary use category would reduce the amount of land available for future industrial use developments, which could have a negative impact on future economic development opportunities.
Steffes also noted that the use was inconsistent with other uses in the area, saying council had also turned down a similar request from a childcare organization over a year ago.
Mayor Dave McKenzie also said after the meeting that council agreed with the report and the administration's recommendation.
"The industrial area is probably not the best area for things like that to be placed," he said.
He referred specifically to the potential of industrial accidents.
"A fire, one of the hydroxide or ammonia tank leaks, something like that, and they are all located in the industrial park," he said. "In my time in Barrhead, we've had all of those. Council all agreed. It would not serve the community and [FCSS's] clientele very well."
The Barrhead Leader reached out to FCSS for comment but did not receive a response by press deadline.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
