Red Deer City Council will consider a revised Land Use Bylaw at the Monday (March 18) council meeting.  

“Our current Land Use Bylaw was written in the 1990s, and while updates have occurred since that time, we have certainly not undertaken a wholistic update to the document in its entirety until now,” Emily Damberger, Manager of City Planning and Growth said. “The update is focused on reducing restrictions, streamlining standards, allowing more uses in all zones, and allowing for more housing options for people at all ages and stages of life.”  

 

Proposed changes to the bylaw include:  

  • Reducing 11 residential districts to nine zones  

  • Reducing seven commercial districts to six zones  

  • Reducing five industrial districts to three zones  

  • More uses allowed in each zone  

  • More gentle density options to provide increased housing options, including house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes  

  • Increased building heights  

  • Greater flexibility for development applications  

  • New regulations to gently transition existing neighbourhoods to maintain character  

 

Items not changing in the bylaw include:  

  • Waskasoo Character Statements  

  • Woodlea Character Statements  

  • Signage regulations  

  • Any property with existing regulations  

 

“This bylaw is large but at the heart of our review was to enhance readability and public understanding of the document, as such residents and developers will notice simplified language, a user-friendly format, and examples,” Damberger said.  

The updates were informed through a public participation process, where the public provided input on how the city can update the bylaw to meet the needs of the community.  

Click here to view the entire proposed bylaw. 

 

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