(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

10 to 15 metres

Red Deer residents concerned with increased building heights in new Zoning Bylaw

Apr 18, 2024 | 7:56 AM

Red Deer residents have raised some concerns with the new Zoning Bylaw’s increase in allowable building heights.

At a public hearing on Monday, city council heard from nearly a dozen residents and read various written public comments received during public engagement initiatives.

Previously known as the Land Use Bylaw, written in the 1990s, city officials say the updated bylaw is focused on reducing restrictions, streamlining standards, allowing more uses in all zones, and for more housing options for people at all ages and stages of life.

Some changes include more permitted uses in each zone. more gentle density options to provide increased housing options like house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes, and greater flexibility for development applications.

One change of contention regards the amendment to increase building heights from two to three storeys and from 10 metres to 15 metres.

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David Girardin, Major Projects Planner for the City, said the increase was made as construction trends show a desire for high ceilings, or in this case, five metres per storey. He added there are already buildings in the city that reach nearly 13 metres.

Residents, many from the Waskasoo and Woodlea neighbourhoods, shared concerns about this change, particularly for infills in already developed areas, as well as the 10–metre permitted height for yard suites. They say properties of this height will remove the character of established neighbourhoods and can be an eye sore, cast shadows on yards, and reduce property values. Some suggested keeping the 15-metre height allowance for only new neighbourhoods.

They also pointed to the fact that many communities across the country, including major urban centres like Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver, do not allow for 15-metre-high buildings.

Girardin confirmed the City is unaware of other communities with this height allowance but did say that cities use different means of measuring and so actual heights have come close to 15-metres in reality.

The public hearing was adjourned and administration will be bringing more information and recommendations regarding next steps for council at their upcoming meeting on April 29. The public will not have an opportunity to speak on the item during that meeting.

The proposed updated Zoning Bylaw can be viewed online at engage.reddeer.ca.

READ MORE:

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

Public hearing set for April 15 regarding Red Deer’s updated Land Use Bylaw

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