By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

first reading on march 18

Red Deer city council to do ‘wholistic’ review of 1990s-written Land Use Bylaw

Mar 16, 2024 | 11:11 AM

Red Deer city council will consider first reading of a revised Land Use Bylaw (LUB), also known as the Zoning Bylaw, on Monday, March 18.

“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,” explains Emily Damberger, Manager of City Planning & Growth.

“The update is focused on reducing restrictions, streamlining standards, allowing more uses in all zones, and to allow for more housing options for people at all ages and stages of life.”

The proposed Land Use Bylaw or Zoning Bylaw can be viewed in its entirety on reddeer.ca/LUBreview.

Notable proposed changes include:

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• Reducing 11 residential districts to 9 zones
• Reducing 7 commercial districts to 6 zones
• Reducing 5 industrial districts to 3 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 proposed Zoning 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 adds.

Mayor Ken Johnston, speaking to rdnewsNOW March 6, noted that reviewing the LUB will offer council an opportunity to put a strong focus on affordable housing, and on reducing red tape.

The LUB 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 right now and moving forward. The What We Heard Report can be read online at reddeer.ca/LUBreview.

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