This 25-foot-wide lot in the River flats is one of just three lots remaining from the city's purchase of flood-damaged properties in 2014. New building regulations specific to narrow lots were passed this week by city council, which may hasten new sales for the difficult properties.--NEWS PHOTO
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Just three of the 14 lots in the River Flats that the city purchased in a flood relocation program six years ago remain unsold after years of price reductions and hopes that blank canvas in the redeveloping neighbourhood would spark activity.
The remaining three however, measure only 25-feet wide, but with new, more relaxed development standards passed this week, there is potential they – and other narrow lots in the neighbourhood – could gain new cache.
Standards meant to accommodate and promote “skinny home” concepts in mature neighbourhoods passed council vote on Tuesday.
Coun. Julie Friesen said “they look fabulous” during a presentation, adding that the tall, relatively thin and long building form would accentuate any neighbourhood.
That’s possible, replied planners, but on the narrow 25-foot lots that were drawn up in the early 20th Century, a skinny home might be the only option for developers looking to make a profit on vacant property.
Now, some smaller setbacks and site coverage requirements will be relaxed on lots that size.
“It’s a good change,” said Mayor Ted Clugston. “I’ve gone down to film video on some of these lots trying to entice people to purchase lots that are jet sitting vacant, and these rules might accommodate that.”
Officials in both the city’s land and planning departments say the measures aren’t aimed at clearing out the flood-lot properties, but will have positive effect on brownfield building activity and council’s goal of boosting assessment values in established neighbourhoods.
Jane Zwicker of the city’s land office said that four larger lots were sold in 2019 for four-plex development.
That helps the city recover some cost of the original program – the goal was to help flooded Hatters relocate and spur new development, said Zwicker.
“We’re happy with the uptake, and that development has been bolstered in the area,” she said.
The city originally purchased 14 lots from flooded out homeowners. The three remaining lots are two on Queen Street and one on Bridge Street, and all are priced around $36,000.
As well, new infill development grants launched this summer could pay up to $25,000 of redevelopment costs on any private or city-held lot in mature communities.
Jon Bartram was hired this summer as a real estate marketing manager with Invest Medicine Hat, and said the program should key some new investments.
“We’re surprised there hasn’t been more interest (in the Flats lots), but we’re not worried about their ability to sell,” said Bartram.
