City of Lloydminster council is working to update the draft Land Use Bylaw and council heard the most recent update.
The most recent update came during the Aug. 12 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.
City administration presented the new updates to the land use bylaw.
Proposed updates to the organization of the land use bylaw include:
– Improved page layout, colour coding, digitalized version with bookmarking and linking for easy navigation,
– Simplified language for easy interpretation, improved organization of bylaw sections for clarity
New graphics were proposed for improved clarity and interpretation.
Proposed updates for the land use districts:
– Simplification of residential districts from 7 to 3
– Reduction of direct control districts from 7 to 2
– Creation of a downtown commercial district, recreation and entertainment district, a business industrial district and a general commercial district
The proposed updates for housing are:
Increase of maximum density in Low Density (LDR) Districts:
– 2 units/lot on lots containing a Single-Detached Dwelling + an Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) or a Two-unit Dwelling.
Uses permitted in LDR Districts
– 4 units/lot on lots containing a Multi-unit Dwelling. This use is discretionary in LDR Districts
– Allowance for development of ADUs on lots containing Single- detached or Two-unit Dwellings
– ADUs must meet all appropriate regulations (maximum of 1 per site, maximum height of 6 m)
– Allowance for development of Two-unit and Multi-unit Dwellings (maximum of 4 units) in LDR Districts
– Must meet all appropriate regulations (maximum density, maximum height, maximum lot coverage)
– Multi-unit dwellings must undergo the discretionary process in LDR Districts
– Removal of minimum lot width requirement
– Allowance for more diversity in housing options
Updates to sign provisions include:
– Clarified definitions to reduce confusion on sign types
– Flexible time frames for portable signs
– Updated sign enforcement regulations increased clarity on where different sign types are allowed
– Inclusion of regulations for portable signs located on public property.
General land use provisions include:
– Increased maximum lot coverage from 50 to 60 per cent,
– Increased power variance from 15 to 25 per cent and more items allowed to be varied
– New additions to list of developments not requiring a permit,
– Updates to regulations around community support centres,
– Updates to shipping container regulations.
The land use bylaw is considered a living document which gets reviewed and updated by council every five years.
“The land use bylaw needs to get updated so you’re current with the needs in the community,” said Coun. David Lopez. “Reducing the red tape, having a smaller number of districts, making things easier to find I don’t think those are bad things.”
Lopez also raised concern about allowing up to five units in a low-density area as a discretionary item.
“Allowing someone to put a four-plex next to someone that has a house that could be trouble and that could reduce the value of the house, we aren’t short on land right now.”
Lopez explains, “Under the current system, when low-density units want to be built such as duplexes, an application for the low-density unit is made and letters are sent out to nearby residents.”
“I think that needs to stay because once you allow it you can’t really stop it, and you could have an area where you have multiple low-density homes in an area where people had bought their houses and had bought in there knowing the fact that it was supposed to be single family.”
Natasha Pidkowa, planning manager at the City of Lloydminster clarified during council’s question-and-answer period what they heard through their housing needs assessment.
“One of the things that the city and administration really heard through the housing needs assessment is allowing for a variety of housing types. We’re not intending to reduce property values or create neighbourhoods that are unsatisfactory to live in, it’s to create spaces in our city to fit the needs of everyone and be an inclusive community.”
The review of the land use bylaw began in Sept. 2023 and has gone through multiple phases.
Phase 1: Sept. – Nov. 2023: development of initial context, initial public engagement, data collection and research
Phase 2 Nov. 2023 – April 2024: drafting the land use bylaw, 2nd round public engagement, refinement based on feedback from phase 1
Phase 3: April – Sept. 2024: finalizing the land use bylaw, 3rd round public engagement, refinement based on feedback from phase 2, delivery of final land use bylaw.
Council accepted the Draft Land Use Bylaw update as information.
The next steps for the bylaw include receiving the first reading at the Sept. 9 council meeting, a public hearing at the Oct. 7 council meeting and then second and third readings at the Oct. 21 council meeting.
For information regarding the history of the bylaw and to read it online visit yourvoicelloyd.ca/lub.
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