Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Discussing rezoning concerns near new hospital

Betty Collicott, board chair of the Five Hills Health
Region, makes a presentation to council regarding
the concerns of a proposed rezoning of a property
close to the new hospital from CS community service
to M3 mixed-use business park industrial district
at Monday's council meeting at city hall.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


There were several objections to a proposed zoning bylaw amendment.

At Monday’s regular meeting of city council, council was faced with a proposed zoning amendment bylaw to a site 85 meters south from the front of the new hospital. The amendment suggested rezoning the land from CS community service and institutional district, to M3 mixed-use business park industrial district. The 15 acres of land would be used for a light manufacturing plant on the northeast corner of the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds that wouldn’t conflict with adjacent land issues.

However the Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) and the provincial health ministry sent letters to the city clerk/solicitor’s office expressing their concerns over the proposed rezoning.

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Explosions do happen

Betty Collicott, board chair of the Five Hills Health Region, made a presentation to city council regarding the proposed zoning bylaw amendment to a property near the new hospital. The rezoning from community service and institutional district to mixed-use business park industrial would’ve allowed for fertilizer storage plants, welding shops and other heavy industrial uses.

During her presentation she gave several examples of explosions or fires at those types of uses. One of the examples was the April 17 ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas at the West Fertilizer Company storage and distribution facility.

The West Middle School, located next to the facility, was damaged and an adjacent 50-unit two-storey apartment building was destroyed. She said 15 people were killed, more than 160 people were injured and more than 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Other instances included the May 21 plastics plant fire in Windsor, Ont., a grain elevator explosion in Atchison, Kansas, the May 31 building materials manufacturer fire in Hanceville, Alabama, burning chemicals at a facility on May 30 in Edmonton and a manufacturing plant explosion in Newmarket, Ont.

Further on Dec. 1, 1980 a large storage tank at the Moose Jaw Refinery ruptured and spilled oil, which then caught fire. The former St. Anthony’s Nursing Home was evacuated and the Moose Jaw Union Hospital and the former Providence Hospital were on emergency stand-by for evacuation.