A new pawn broker business wanting to locate on Broadway Street is one step close to be approved after Yorkton Council approved City Administration to proceed with Public Notification for Discretionary Use application, which proposes a Pawn Broker and Second Hand Store use at 50B Broadway Street West.
鈥淭he property was most recently used as a martial arts teaching facility,鈥� explained Carleen Koroluk, Land Use Planner with the City.
Pursuant to regulations of the Zoning Bylaw, 鈥渢he proposed redevelopment would not necessitate any site improvements,鈥� she explained.
A Building Permit is also not required as the change in zoning use is not a change in occupancy as determined by the National Building Code.
An Administrative Review circulated to Council explained, 鈥淧awn Brokers operate as a form of secured lenders 鈥� individuals provide material goods as collateral on the funds they borrow from the broker. If the individual pays back his/her debt within the established terms, the goods are returned by the broker to the individual. If the debt is not repaid as required, the broker can sell the goods to recover their loss. Because the goods used to secure the loan are not easily tracked, there may be a risk and temptation for borrowers to use stolen goods as collateral, with no intention to pay off the debt. To mitigate this problem, Pawn Brokers are specially-regulated and work closely with RCMP to monitor inventories.鈥�
Koroluk said the view of pawn broker businesses has chained in recent years.
鈥淚n the past, Pawn Brokers have not been seen as an ideal commercial land use and have been directed to secondary commercial and industrial areas of Canadian cities. But, the negative perception of Pawn Brokers that has existed may be changing 鈥� second-hand goods have become more sought-after by consumers, and TV reality shows such as 鈥淧awn Stars鈥� have popularized the pawn and second hand goods trade,鈥� she said.
鈥淭he proposed business will be operated in an existing building at the location and the property owner has signed the application authorizing consent of the business.
鈥淏ecause the proposed business is not located close to (within 175 metres) of an existing Pawn Broker, and because there would be no required changes to the existing property, Planning Services is prepared to support the application,鈥� added Koroluk.
The Zoning Amendment Application to allow Pawn Brokers and Second Hand Stores that is being considered by Council was referred to the Planning and Infrastructure Commission at the March 30, PIC meeting. At that time, a Pawn Broker and Second Hand Store at the proposed location was also discussed and the Commission had no concerns with the location
Planning Services will now initiate the public notice process including advertisement in the local newspaper, at City Hall and on the City website, and circulation to property owners within 75 m of the subject property.
