BREAKING - Mustard Seed Withdraws Its Rezoning Application For Shelter Space

A city sign advertising a rezoning application by the Mustard Seed for a new overnight shelter space. (File Photo)

The Mustard Seed is withdrawing its rezoning application for a northside building, according to a city release Friday afternoon.

The union hall site located next to the Flying J truck stop while near a car dealership and condo complex on Saamis Drive was subject to, “numerous inquiries and concerns related to the appropriateness of the site and for surrounding properties and businesses,” according to the city.

The proposed site was several kilometres away from the nearest public transit stop and didn’t have pedestrian access leading up to the building aside from the road.

The city stated finding a new site for shelter services remains a priority and will be working with the Mustard Seed and Medicine Hat Community Housing to support those requiring services as the winter months approach.

To that end, the municipality is seeking suggestions from the public as to a new location for a permanent shelter space. Those suggestions can be submitted through a webpage on the city’s website.

The city launched a multi-government, multi-agency taskforce following a rejigging of the municipality’s strategic goals announced nearly a year ago.

Part of the strategic plan, which was boiled down to four priorities, was to build a resilient and inclusive community and provide an urgent response to social disorder.

The Mustard Seed was required to shut down in-person day services at its Allowance Avenue site earlier this year after an application to allow for the building to be used for overnight shelter beds sparked widespread controversy.

The Mustard Seed’s current overnight shelter space located in the South Flats has also received added scrutiny regarding its zoning in recent months.