Council for the Rural Municipality of Ritchot has said 'no' to a rezoning request inside the Tourond Creek development at St. Adolphe.

The development is located on the south edge of the community. The request was to rezone Lot 1 of Block 1 from Commercial General Zone to Residential Multi-Family Complex Zone. The land being proposed is just off Provincial Road 200, on the north side of the street that enters the development.

A public hearing was held Tuesday evening at Pioneer Hall in St. Adolphe. Mayor Chris Ewen guesses between 150 and 200 people showed up.

"Council decided to defeat the motion just in essence because there was so many objection letters that came in or people that spoke in objection to it," says Ewen. "They really wanted to see the commercial land stay commercial because they feel, and I don't disagree with them that there is very limited commercial space in that area of St. Adolphe."

Ewen says there is definitely support for the idea of multi-family zoning, just not there. He notes council heard some good suggestions of other areas within that development that could possibly be rezoned. Ewen says he wouldn't be surprised if the developer tries again to rezone some land within that development to multi-family, but not that specific parcel.

According to Ewen, the municipality was tipped off about a month ago that there would be a large gathering at this public hearing. He says that is why they decided to move it to a larger venue. Ewen notes the hundreds of people who signed petitions asking for council to deny the request shows that ratepayers want to get involved and want to have an opinion.

"I really respect and appreciate all the people for signing the petitions and coming out to speak," says Ewen.

He notes the meeting was civil. Ewen says things stayed under control, which makes the job of council that much easier.