A public hearing and first reading of a bylaw calling to increase side yard setbacks resulted in a request by council for administration to find out possible legal ramifications if the bylaw were to pass following future readings.
Presentations were given by Cam Heart, vice president of Tamani communities (Riversong), Alan Boucher of Melcor Developments (Sunset Ridge) and Marissa Toohey (Canadian Home Builders Association and Urban Development Institute of the Calgary Region).
The message was clear: the 0.3 meter change in R-1 districts would result in project delays and costs to the developers, as well as possible legal ramifications for the town if these setbacks resulted in re-classification of the zoning designation for these homes.
Bylaw 26/2016 seeks to provide more space between future homes as part of the Community Enhancement Matrix recently adopted by council, pushed forward by Couns. Jeff Toews and Gaynor Levisky.
Drew Hyndman, manager of development services for the town, asserted this bylaw would apply to new lots, not existing and that the town would seek more information before bringing the bylaw back to council.
