A re-zoning of city owned land around Lake Minnewasta has caused a few concerns from land owners in the area.  Morden City Council is re-zoning portions of land around the lake from Community Reserve (CR) to Parks and Recreation (PR), to prevent future development in those areas.

Morden Mayor Ken Wiebe explained development in those areas could have a negative impact on the lake and its embankments.

"After the lake study was done a few years ago by MSTW and the City of Morden, we said we would abide by the science, and do the set backs and not allow development within that setback," said Wiebe. "There were numerous properties that were privately owned, and the City has acquired a good number of them."

Wiebe explained Community Reserve generally means the land is being held for future development, and added the land is now park land. He went on to say this was the plan after the study showcased a need for a setback area.

However, this change of city land from CR to PR will not affect adjacent properties, which are owned privately. Land privately owned will remain in the CR zone.

During Monday's council meeting a few people questioned why the City or property owners couldn't develop the land in question.

Wiebe stressed the joint MSTW and City of Morden study recommended there be no development in these areas.

The rezoning motion is expected to have third and final reading during the next city council meeting September 25th.

 

The parcels of land in red on this conceptual drawing will be the only parcels of land affected by this re-zoning