Update July 3, 2024
Council approved the Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 24-14 (Garden and Garage Suites) at the Wednesday, July 3, Town Council meeting, following a public hearing.
Prior to approval, Strathmore’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) regulated existing garden suites but did not allow for the application for a new garden or garage suite development permit without a site-specific LUB amendment. The LUB amendment implements clear and understandable regulations to make it easier for residents to apply for garden and garage suites.
“Adding options for garden and garage suites in our community is another creative avenue through which we can try to ease the pressures of the housing crisis while reducing application red tape,” said Mayor Pat Fule.
Under the amended bylaw, garden and garage suites will be designated as “Discretionary Use,” allowing those with planning and engineering-related concerns to appeal permit applications. Additionally, the bylaw details regulations for the lot and the building, including location, area of the land lot, and architectural style. To address parking concerns, the bylaw also stipulates that a minimum of one (1) on-site parking stall must be provided for a garden or garage suite in addition to the required parking stall for the principal building.
History
Staff presented information on Garden Suites to Council during the April 13th, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting. You can read the report here.
Following this presentation, Council directed Staff to engage the residents and other stakeholders of Strathmore to gather feedback on the community’s opinions around garden suites; what regulations should be in place, what parts of Town they should be allowed in, and what concerns there may be around garden suites. In addition to gathering feedback, there will be an education portion that teaches folks what garden suites are and how the application process may look.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Garden Suite Survey! It is now closed, the results are available to download and read here.
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