New suite bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore hosted discussions regarding Land Use Amending Bylaw 24-14, being the bylaw about garden and garage suites, during the July 3 regular meeting of council.

Administration has recommended that council proceed with second and third readings of the bylaw, as it will provide support for more, as well as different types of housing to meet local residency needs. 

A garden suite refers to an accessory building on a parcel of land that is to be utilized as a separate accommodation, secondary to the principal building, and may be a stand-alone unit.

In order for construction or development of an accessory dwelling to be potentially approved on a given plot, the plot must be more than 400 square meters in area, have a site width of more than 10 meters, a building permit must be acquired; the suite must be located in the rear yard, and it must not exceed the height of the principal building on the same lot. 

Any garden suite must also be separated from the principal building by a minimum of five meters, and must be at least 1.5 meters from any other building on the same lot, as well as provide a minimum of one additional parking stall on the property. 

A garage suite is defined as a secondary dwelling often constructed as an extension to, or as a separate structure adjacent to or above a garage.

Similar land size requirements apply to the potential development of garage suites, and internal pathways within the property must facilitate barrier-free access to the dwelling.

Currently in Strathmore, there are noted to be approximately 1,300 eligible properties which may host development of a garden or garage suite. 

Coun. Debbie Mitzner requested of administration that a clarification be made regarding the number of potential additional dwellings that may be added to a property, provided that the subject parcel be large enough to support the additional structures. 

Concerns from residents in attendance at the meeting included potential crime, hazard and parking increases due to an increased population, garbage pickup, and a lack of local advertising regarding the bylaw. 

Strathmore’s currently existing land use bylaw regulates existing garden suites, though it is not currently possible to apply for a new garden or garage suite development permit in town without first acquiring a site-specific land use bylaw amendment. 

Both second and third readings of the bylaw 24-14 were held and passed by council during the regular meeting, following the public hearing.