Spa proposed for Hanover

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This article was published 10/05/2018 (2168 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Hanover couple wants to create a brand new spa business on their rural property, but the municipality has decided they still need more time before they can give the couple their blessing for the proposal.

Nelia and Viktor Holstein own a property in Hanover at 34160 Road 32E, and are proposing moving forward with a project that would see them build a spa business on the five acre property which is currently zoned rural residential.

A public hearing was held in Hanover on Wednesday morning for the rezoning of the property that would be needed to build the spa, which council heard would include spas, hot tubs and saunas.

The couple spoke at the hearing on Wednesday and said their plans would be to have a brand new 6,000 sq.-ft. indoor building, as well as an outside portion of the spa business and surround it all with tall fencing.

Council also heard on Wednesday that the proposal does raise concerns with Hanover’s planning department.

Hanover manager of planning Jeremy Neufeld told council the proposal is a “dramatic deviation from the intent of a home occupation,” and he said administration believes the business would be more suited to a commercial lot.

Neufeld said the planning department is strongly encouraging council to reject the application, and direct it towards a commercially zoned lot.

The couple spoke during Wednesday’s hearing and told council they want to build their business on a rural property because that kind of area is more suited to a spa business where clients would be coming to relax and get away from the kinds of noise that can be heard on commercial lots or more developed areas.

Council did not come to a decision on the application on Wednesday, as they instead chose to send the proposal back to the municipality’s planning department for further review.