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Bylaw admendment changes new church parking requirements

Proposed changes to the city’s zoning bylaw will allow new churches to require less parking. The current bylaw requires churches to have three parking spots for every 10 seats.
Humboldt City Hall

Proposed changes to the city’s zoning bylaw will allow new churches to require less parking.

The current bylaw requires churches to have three parking spots for every 10 seats. The change would apply what city staff have found is standard across the province, one parking spot for every 10 seats. Humboldt followed that ratio until a major zoning bylaw revamp in 2016.

“I don’t believe any of the existing places of worship would come anywhere near the current requirements,” said Anthony Andre, the city’s planning co-ordinator.

The change is being done because there’s an organization that’s looking at establishing a church in Humboldt.

As well, the cost to appeal a property assessment would increase from $50 to $300. A change in provincial legislation allowed cities like Humboldt to increase that fee.

“The expenses for that type of thing, $50 didn’t come anywhere near to covering it,” said Rob Muench, Humboldt's mayor.

The bylaw passed its first reading at the Jan. 15 meeting. It requires two more readings before it goes into effect