A caretaker will provide “eyes on the street” during the non-operating hours of a proposed industrial building.
The city has received a development permit application that would allow a three-storey industrial building to be built at 520 21st St. The plan includes a two-bedroom accessory residential unit so a caretaker could live on site.
“A caretaker can be considered beneficial to the successful operation of a business,” stated a staff re-port. “In this instance, due to the isolated area of the subject site coupled with the applicant’s financial investment in the operation, a caretaker could prove beneficial by providing eyes on the street during non-operational hours. This would also be beneficial for the subject site’s surrounding neighbours.”
Along with steel manufacturing, the space would also include a showroom and offices. Following a public hearing on Oct. 26, council supported the requested zoning bylaw text amendment.
Singh Biln, director of community relations with Southern Railway, told council that the development is located near train tracks and someone will be living at the site, which could result in complaints.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, who chairs the city’s railway advisory panel, asked the proponent if he was willing to register on title the fact that the site was located near an active railway. That information will be registered on title so if the property sells and someone moves into the caretaker’s suite, they’re aware of its proximity to a railway.
“This is a document that says they are here,” he said. “It’s almost like you don’t need it, but it really seems to be working across the country in places that are using it.”
