Editor's note: A public hearing is being held on Feb. 10 regarding the City of Wetaskiwin's proposed Bylaw 2083-24 to amend the Land Use Bylaw to add 'Limited Group Home' and 'Group Home' as discretionary uses in R2 Low Density Residential District. The amendment would allow for the development of group homes for up to eight residents. The bylaw passed first reading at the Jan. 13, 2025 regular council meeting.
Dear editor,
Regarding Bylaw 2083-24, tt would be difficult to make only comments when there are questions.
• Who will be applying for the use of the group homes and where will the total funding come from?
• What has transpired that there is a need for more group homes in our community of only 13,200 residents — with many of these being seniors while others are long-time residents?
• Will Wetaskiwin receive any funding for these group home projects?
• Who will be housed in these homes? Are these individuals already residents in our community? Or troubled teens with addictions etc., brought in from other municipalities where there are no appropriate facilities? There is already considerable abusive behaviour from other occupants within our own community, some being the unhoused persons being 'cared for' by Hope Mission.
• Is it possible this project might contribute to more of these issues? Currently, our EMS staff are over worked and our hospital is over used, with less staff than is desired to handle increased numbers. There is no question there's a need for compassionate housing for disabled persons and this is always welcome. However, again it's difficult to maintain appropriate and sufficient staffing.
There are more than six group homes/organizations currently located inside this city. There are at least eight retirement housing facilities as well as long-term hospital care units in Wetaskiwin. Moreover, affordable retirement housing is always needed with our aging population.
• Who is responsible for the cost of these buildings, utilities, taxes, maintenance upkeep and security of the occupants besides the public who are in vicinity of these locations?
• There's already a shortage of health care workers and public servant employees within this community — where will the staffing come from? Has this been guaranteed and by whom?
• What benefits will the City of Wetaskiwin receive?
• What obligations will the city and the community be expected to fulfill?
• What benefit is there to the residential areas where these venues are located? What about real estate prices for owners in the vicinity of these venues?
• What advantages will this provide for the new businesses (supposedly) coming to town if there are fewer employees available to encourage a good start here in this "City of Vision"?
The opinions expressed by the voices of this community have, during the past few years, been disrespectfully dismissed.
I lament as a long-time resident; my spirit is very sad. Is it a new direction our city is moving in now?
Judi Olson,
Wetaskiwin
