Smaller lot sizes to increase growth in starter homes
Mario Prusina – Times Editor
At the suggestion of local developers, the Town of Strathmore is considering changing a land use bylaw to allow 40 ft lots in new subdivisions.
Currently, the town’s minimum lot size is 50 ft, but developers are hoping to decrease the lot sizes in an effort to make them more affordable. It would then allow developers to make for cost friendly homes for first time buyers. “It has been talked about for years – as a matter of fact, (town) council even 10 years ago went on tours in Calgary looking at various places,” said Dwight Stanford, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Strathmore. “The developers are asking for smaller lots so they can get the price of (of them) down to make them more economical. So the proposal is (to create) some 40 ft lots – a few in each subdivision.”
The town is now preparing an open house for all residents of Strathmore to find out more about the land use bylaw amendment. The town will provide a visual presentation and offer a survey for the public’s feedback.
The open house is to take place May 6 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Centre Hall in the Strathmore Civic Centre.
The town will then host a public hearing at the council chamber in town office on May 19 at 7:30 p.m.
“We want to find out what the public thinks about it at the open house,” said Stanford. “Then on that night they can decide if they are going to give it a second and third reading.”
Hard Water Issue
After years of poor water quality, some residents of the Town of Strathmore are not too thrilled with the new source of water from Calgary.
The new multi-million dollar pipeline that brings fresh water from the city is noted for being ‘too hard’ for some residents.
“Calgary water is harder,” said Stanford. “It was just on the news this week again that Calgary has (some) of the best water in all of Canada. It is a little harder, but the quality is terrific.”
A handful of residents that noticed that their fine china’s design has been washed away after being exposed to a few cycles through the dishwasher.
Unfortunately, that is one of the downfalls with the hard water.
However, after being exposed to the poor water issues in the past, such as smell and colour, the new water is significantly much better.
According to the town, it is up to each household to determine if they need a water softener to help resolve the issue.
Nasty rumour buried
The Town of Strathmore was disgusted by a rumour floating around that some of the materials taken to the town’s recycling facility was actually taken to the landfill and buried with the rest of the trash.
In reality, according to town officials, cardboard is taken to Calgary where it is sold and processed for recycling. They also send glass and plastic to Calgary, where they are handled in the same manner. However, sometimes there is not a market for glass and plastic material.
“Absolutely not,” said Stanford of the accusations of the burial of cardboard. “Glass and plastics, sometimes nobody will buy it, so we’ve had to landfill some of that. As for the cardboard, that has never, ever, (been buried).”