On July 23, council held an eventful evening of public hearings at the Niverville Heritage Centre. A full house of residents showed up to listen in on and speak to three conditional use hearings and other matters of interest on the agenda. 

Home Businesses 

The first hearing addressed the request for a spray-tanning salon to be located at the residence of Stephanie White on 23 Kipling Lane. Council would need to allow for street parking for one client at a time. Hours would run weekday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Council proposed changes to the request, specifically mandating that the business owner reapply for another conditional use permit in one year’s time to allow the town to monitor street parking over the coming year. No objections were heard to the proposal. Council voted in favour of the home-based business upon these conditions being met.

Another home-based business request was discussed for the location of 22–79 Fourth Avenue South. The applicant, Stephanie Enns, was looking to relocate her massage therapy business from Niverville Family Chiropractic on Main Street to her home location in the townhouses of the multifamily development.

Enns has received approval from the owner and property manager, Luke Wiebe, based on the assumption that parking would be provided on her driveway and that there would be a half-hour of time between appointments. Business hours would run during the weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Council relayed concerns with previous parking issues in this development, parking which often spills over onto the neighbouring streets and nearby church parking lot. As well, the idea behind council’s support of home-based business is to provide an affordable start-up option with the hope that these businesses will grow into retail locations outside of residential areas. In this case, it was suggested, this is a step backward.

Council’s vote initially resulted in a tie, with Mayor Myron Dyck breaking the tie by voting to deny the application. Dyck recommended that the applicant seek adequate space to meet her needs at another retail space in town. 

Land Expropriation 

Other items on the agenda included the expropriation of CRRC land on which the drama room and daycare will sit.

“We own the land now,” says CAO Eric King. “How do we work out the relationship between what gets used and what doesn’t get used [by the school division]? So they now have to get access from us for [the use of] all of that stuff.” 

Cannabis Retail Outlet Denied 

A final conditional use hearing was considered for an application to open a cannabis retail outlet at 349 Bronstone Drive. The applicant, Canna Cabana, sent Calgary delegate Bradley Schmaltz to make a formal presentation to council.

While Mayor Myron Dyck made clear council’s intent to vote on the matter from a business perspective only, the floor was opened to residents wishing to speak to the perceived moral and social ramifications of such an endeavour.

Twelve residents stepped forward to voice their concerns and objections. As well, one resident presented a perspective in support of such a business model with proper regulations in place. Five emails were received prior to the meeting, all in favour of the proposal.

After much deliberation, council’s vote was split. Councillors Kevin Stott and John Funk voting against and councillors Nathan Dueck and Chris Wiebe voting in favour. Mayor Myron Dyck had the swing vote, and he voted no. The result is that the proposal was denied.