The city is working to rejig development bylaws to reduce the amount of rubber-stamp applications that have to come before council.
According to director of planning Ian Wells, staff are redrafting the subdivision and development bylaw "to deal with the variances and the concerns that have been raised."
One of those concerns was raised by Majestic Management's Robert Hillhouse, who wrote a letter in support of a development variance application made to facilitate the new Wholesale Sports store on Victoria Street.
Development in many zoning areas requires overhead electric power and telecommunication services as well as sidewalks and boulevard landscaping.
The work to expand the former home of Shagg triggered the requirement for this work but having to apply to waive the requirement for underground wiring was superfluous, Hillhouse pointed out .
Overhead wiring is already in place at this particular location, as well as numerous others where developers or landowners are faced with this roadblock.
During the same meeting, council granted a variance to a La Salle Avenue development that was also in an area already serviced by overhead wiring. The multi-family residence was also exempted from having to put in sidewalks since there were no others along the stretch and the street isn't identified on the city's plans for a new sidewalk service.
"We're in a situation where anybody that wants to redevelop in this city must come before council right now and ask for a variance," Hillhouse told council Monday night. "These sorts of variances shouldn't be coming to council, there shouldn't be a need for a variance because it's not possible to do what the bylaw is asking."
Applications to vary the subdivision and development servicing bylaw can cost upwards of $1,000 -- $600 for the application and between $400 and $600 to cover the city's notification costs.
