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Public Hearing in April

New housing types for Timber Ridge Neighborhood

Mar 1, 2022 | 11:00 PM

New housing types are planned for the Timber Ridge Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP), a residential development located in east Red Deer.

Red Deer city council gave first reading to the land use bylaw amendment at Monday’s meeting to rezone the undeveloped southwest quadrant of Timber Ridge.

Timber Ridge NASP location (red box) within map of Red Deer (blue border). (City of Red Deer)

With the neighborhood already partially developed since its adoption in 2012, the rezoning is said to “better accommodate the current housing needs and future market trends”.

“If the pandemic has taught us anything over the last couple of years is the need to be nimble and flexible, particularly around the housing side of our business and the housing side of development in the city,” said Mayor Ken Johnston.

The biggest change is the removal of 65 Medium Density (R2 Residential) lots and its replacement with 80 Small lots (R1G Residential).

Small lots are designated for detached housing with mandatory front attached garages. They have a decreased minimum lot width of 10.5m and a minimum lot area of 336.0 m2. With the potential for more efficient utilization of land, bi-level or two-storey homes can be built.

Medium Density zones are larger and have more freedom in the type of properties being built, their densities and price levels.

Both residential districts are said to provide affordable housing.

Timber Ridge NASP Concept Plan 2022 (City of Red Deer)

As a result of the change, the initial goal of building 1,093 dwellings is now set at 1,020 units in Timber Ridge. Regarding the types of housing, fewer Low Density housing types will be built and more emphasis will be placed on developing semi-detached dwellings, narrow lots, multiple family residential lots, and a larger commercial area for a district shopping centre.

The changes to the layout relocate roads and shift the park site eastward beside the already zoned Multi-Family (R3 Residential) site.

As well, Timber Ridge has reserved a site for a Place of Worship and a development for Temporary Care purposes such as assisted living, adult day care or youth day care facility. If the sites are not purchased following a set advertisement period, the sites will be rezoned to either residential lots or merge with the commercial site.

Second and third reading are to be schedules along with a public hearing on Monday, April 11.