Neighbours will have another chance to comment on a plan to open a medical office in a residential area.
During Monday night's meeting, city council approved the first two readings of a zoning bylaw and official community plan amendment to convert a 12th Avenue home into an office for a local urologist.
A public meeting on the OCP change and hearing on both amendments will happen at a later dates.
In a letter to the city, Dr. Guy Paterson said the home facing Lethbridge Street provides many advantages for his practice, including the ability to walk to provide in-hospital care, the close proximity of lab and x-ray facilities at the Phoenix Medical Centre and ease of access due to being on a bus route.
"When I found out the property across the street from the cancer agency was going up for sale it just made sense for me to buy it and try to convert it into my office," wrote Paterson. "I do not believe this medical office would impact the surrounding community of homes negatively as this office would run only on weekdays from 9-5."
Residents who attended an initial public meeting on Oct. 29 said they liked that the building will keep the form and character of the neighbourhood and that it is only one office, while there were concerns about potential increases in taxes and traffic volume.
The proposed change would switch the zoning from single residential to commercial conversion which allows for services such as massage therapy, pet grooming, daycares, offices and restaurants.
While certain uses in the zone are higher traffic generators, a report from planner Mandy Stanker said staff are recommending placing a convenant on the land title which would restrict the commercial uses to a health service, minor and massage therapy only.
Paterson also plans to provide six off-street parking spaces and to plant additional landscaping.
The OCP change would switch the property from having a neighbourhood residential designation to the adjacent neighbourhood centre residential designation which covers 13th Avenue between Winnipeg and Lethbridge Streets. That category discourages non-residential uses outside of medical and dental offices.
