The live-work units were brought up again at the Cochrane town council meeting to give second and third reading to amend the land-use bylaw for the units.
Area developer president Tony Robinson of the Trading Post of Sunset Ridge attended the public hearing at the beginning of the meeting to show his support for the units saying there has been “tremendous response” for the units.
With 40 live-work units already built in the Sunset area, listed under discretionary use in the land-use bylaw, Robinson said 28 of the units have already been sold, with over half of the buyers using the buildings for their home-based businesses.
“It adds vibrancy to a space – during the day our stuff is active all the time,” Robinson explained.
The amendment was discussed between council members, missing were Mayor Ivan Brooker and Coun. Tara McFadden – all other councillors in the meeting were in favour of the amendment with the exception of Coun. Morgan Nagel, who was opposed.
The live-work units would allow one dwelling to contain a home business to be run out of a portion of the building, with a minimum of 50-per-cent residential space – in the designated land-use districts where such units are approved.
Nagel said he was opposed to the amendment because he was concerned of unit owners changing their minds of owning the type of space, where if a person purchased a live-work unit, they would not be able to rent out the residential space and to turn the unit into 100-per-cent residential space could be a difficult process.
Coun. Ross Watson disagreed saying “there is a market and it will add to the opportunities for people in Cochrane. We should give it a chance.”
Town planner Robyn Rechenmacher gave an anecdotal story of one live-work unit that turned into 100 per cent work unit after a successful business needed to expand their workspace.
The amendment was carried with councillors Gaynor Levisky, Mary Lou Davis-Eckmeier, Jeff Toews and Watson in favour.
Community Revitalization Levy update
The Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) update was presented at council, informing councillors that the CRL was on track with plans.
As previously reported by the Cochrane Eagle, the CRL was adopted in December 2012. The CRL is a one-time opportunity for the town to redirect the education portion of collected property taxes to enhance a specific CRL area – that area being The Quarry site and parcels of land to the northwest, encompassing 25.3 hectares.
These funds – between $4.7-$6.1 million – would otherwise be seized by the province in the form of an education tax, but if utilized properly would instead be targeted to support the cleanup and redevelopment of “brownfield sites.” Cochrane was the first town in Alberta to take advantage of the CRL and has won international awards since implementing the program.
Approved CRL projects for Cochrane included; $3 million for public space improvements (including urban design and roadway) with over $1.7 million already spent; $4 million for a Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) pedestrian crossing, estimated to be completed by 2019; $3 million for a shared parking facility; and $3 million for the contribution to the Arts Centre that was originally planned for the Northwest corner of The Quarry site.
Administration explained that funds were flexible to transfer between projects on the list. For example, if the Arts Centre is built outside of the CRL area (any projects outside the area are disqualified from CRL funds) then the money designated for that project can be given to another project on the list – but no new projects can be added. Council accepted the information.
Other Council notes
A public hearing was set for Feb. 22 for land use bylaw amendment 03/2016, to remove “fence” from permitted use. Administration’s reason behind the decision was that a “fence” is an applied structure, not a use and the Town want to ensure consistency and better clarification of the land use bylaw.
A public hearing was held for Community Identification Signs. No one attended.
A proclamation was made to declare Feb. 21 – 27 freedom to read week.
During Councillor Reports, Davis-Eckmeier commented about attending the grand opening of the Clotheslines store and commended the Activettes for their service and Nagel mentioned that he has been working with Town planner Drew Hyndman on regulations for building height restrictions and he is also preparing to present his wider road policy at some point in the future.
