Downtown overlay bylaw approved

Times Reporter 

 

For months there has been discussion about an overlay for downtown that will help direct future development. The idea is to create a visually appealing impression and revitalize the downtown core.

“The overlay applies new criteria when a building either redevelops or has major renovations. What we are trying to do is we’re trying to create a visual appeal of streetscape, pedestrian orientation that will then encourage more people downtown,” said Patricia Maloney, the contract planner retained to help with the project.

She said Strathmore is very lucky as far as small towns go because there is a lot of mixed-use development and residential zoning in the core.

Maloney said they are looking at including railway heritage and something they have called messy vibrancy, which is the colour and whimsy and artsy look. 

One part is to try and work with the arts community and some of the businesses in town to put a display in the windows of vacant buildings and give people something to see until the buildings are filled with new tenants. 

“As a council we are restricted in what we can and cannot do with an area, certainly it’s illegal for us to try and forces businesses to stay in the downtown area and not move or to stay occupied,” said Councillor Bob Sobol. 

“In a democracy there are certain things you cant do and those are some of the things you cant do, this is in my opinion an effort to just focus on the positive and create an atmosphere that’s going to welcome businesses into the downtown area.”

“We want people to understand that we truly believe that businesses will be enhanced with even the smallest improvements,” said Maloney.

“I think this was a great first step and I think it will lead into a full blown downtown revitalization strategy and I think it’s an exciting start.”

Council approved the bylaw at the Sept. 18 council meeting. 

 

Town continues Badlands partnership 

Cindy Amos, the new face to the Executive Leadership role at Canadian Badlands Limited, spoke to Town council during the Sept. 18 regular council meeting. She made a presentation before council regarding what Canadian Badlands is about and how it can be beneficial to stay a partner with the organization. 

In the past different directors have made presentations before council leading along the same lines, but to date the benefits have not been apparent. 

“The last time you came to us we were promised all of the above, we didn’t even get our names on the little placards that show the maps for things,” said Councillor Earl Best.

“There was no mention of Strathmore, there was no dot for Strathmore, there was no nothing for Strathmore. I just find that it sounds like the same promises and I’m not prepared again to have them broken.” 

Councillor Pat Fule said he shared a lot of Best’s views, but having met with Amos and Mayor Steve Grajczyk in the summer he believes that she could be the one to change things for the town with the Canadian Badlands. The rest of council agreed they would be open-minded about potential benefits from remaining a partner with the Canadian Badlands. 

Council voted in favour of remaining a partner with Best opposed to the motion. 

 

Christmas support given 

Council made a motion to support the Strathmore and District Christmas Hamper Society in the form of a grant in the amount of $2,700. The funds will come from the financial stabilization reserve. 

 

Town proclamation 

Councillor Dave Hamilton made a motion to see October 2 proclaimed by the town of Strathmore as World Cerebral Palsy Day. 

 

Breast Cancer month

Council received a request from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to proclaim the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Councillor Best made the successful motion.