Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Secondary Suites Update: On October 11, Council reviewed the results of our public engagement and recommendations on expanding Secondary Suite options. Staff is now authorized to proceed with a public hearing, towards the end of 2023, for proposed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw for Secondary Suites in Foothills County, which will give residents another opportunity to provide feedback.
Proposed Amendments: would build upon our Secondary Suites policy to provide affordable housing in these challenging times, help accommodate family situations such as aging in place, add more flexibility for landowners to develop their property and obtain income, and are responsive to what residents are requesting. As was done in the last round of changes, the County would monitor these amendments and then check back in with residents about how they are working.
Background: In 2019, Council adopted amendments to the Land Use Bylaw allowing for Secondary Suites on residential parcels 2 acres in size and larger under the zonings of Agricultural District, Agricultural Business District and Country Residential District. With 4 years of experience, in 2023, staff and council decided it was time to review the requirements, engage with residents, and see what is working, what is not working, and how improvements could be made.
2023 Public engagement included a preliminary hamlet survey to residents within Foothills County hamlets to see if there was a desire for Secondary Suites on residential properties in hamlets. There was overall support to proceed with allowing Secondary Suites in most hamlets, with the exception of the Hamlets of Heritage Pointe and Priddis Greens.
Next, public engagement was undertaken with County residents on policy review topics including acceptable forms of Secondary Suites, appropriate sizes of Secondary Suites, where suites should be allowed in the County, plus addressing challenges and solutions. Feedback was obtained through a series of open houses, held in May throughout the County, and a second survey pertaining more specifically to our policy review topics.
What We Heard – Themes noted by residents:
- Too many of restrictions currently placed on Secondary Suites
- Need for more flexibility in the policy
- Need easier process in place in order to encourage development of legal suites
- Allow stand-alone suites
- High percentage of support for the allowance of detached secondary suites, both outside of hamlet boundaries and within hamlets
- Policies needed that would ensure that visual character of detached suites are complimentary to the principal dwelling and the area
- Respect setbacks and proximity to neighbouring parcels
- More flexibility wanted on the size of secondary suites, especially those within principal dwellings or accessory buildings, plus a desire to either have no restrictions on size or to enlarge maximum size requirements
- Hamlet residents expressed support for suite sizes being dependant on the size of parcel and space available on the lots and the size of principal dwelling
- Hamlet residents identified main concerns were additional strain on existing services, increased traffic, parking, non-owner occupancy, increased unsightliness and increased noise
Policy Recommendations: Based on what we heard, the County is proposing the following draft Land Use Bylaw policy amendments for Secondary Suites:
- Allow Secondary Suites within hamlet boundaries (except Heritage Pointe and Priddis Greens) and on parcels under 2 acres in size.
- Include new type of suite, “Secondary Suite, Detached” (including accessory suites and stand alone).
- Increase maximum size for both types of Secondary Suites (maximum 1,400 sq. ft on parcels 1 acre and larger in size; maximum 1,000 sq. ft. on parcels less than 1 acre in size).
- Increase flexibility of size requirement pertaining to Secondary Suite, Principal, within the basement of principal dwelling or above attached garage.
- Removed the minimum size restriction for Secondary Suites (must still meet Safety Code requirements).
- Removed the mobile home restriction, to allow for use of ready-to-move homes as Secondary Suites.
- Allow variances on existing suites in hamlets and on parcels under 2 acres in size for a two-year period from the date of policy approval date.
- Add requirement for consideration of architectural character of detached suites to ensure visual character is compatible with the principal dwelling and the character of the area.
- Removal of restrictions on bed and breakfast, tourist home, and home-based businesses from a Secondary Suite.
- Amended parking requirement from one on-site parking space per bedroom to one on-site parking space per suite.
- Proposed permitted and discretionary uses in various land use types regarding Secondary Suites.
Next Steps: Now you will be able to find the “What we Heard” and a summary of proposed “Land Use Bylaw” amendments on our website: www.FoothillsCountyAB.ca Public Hearing details will soon be planned and shared. Please join us via our zoom meeting or attend the hearing in person to share or re-state your support or concerns on this.
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
