Red Deer city council passes bylaw amendment that expands housing options

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Before the zoning bylaw change was passed, to apply for a house suite in a duplex in a direct control zone, you must submit a development permit, but first you must have a public hearing, which that process, according to administration, takes approximately two to five months.

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Now that the amendment is passed, it simply removes the need for a public hearing when someone applies for a development permit for a house suite in a duplex.

The zoning bylaw amendment means house suites can be developed in both single-detached homes and duplexes in the city.

It also only allows for one unit in a duplex to have a house suite, regardless of whether the duplex is on one parcel of land or two. This cannot be varied.

In addition, administration explained that the 15 per cent density cap of house suites and backyard suites is determined based on the number of single-detached homes in a neighbourhood.

Administration said because the overall density cap does not change, the proposed amendments only expand the types of housing forms that can contain a house suite, not the total number of suites allowed.

Per the city, three properties will return to their underlying zoning districts:  

• 34 Rutherford Drive (Rosedale Estates) – Residential Duplex (R-D) 
• 170 Lancaster Drive (Lancaster Green) – Residential Duplex (R-D) 
• 3802 47 Street (Eastview) – Residential Medium Density (R-M) 

Krahn, who originally brought forward the zoning bylaw amendment to council, said this checks off a lot of the boxes of what council is trying to accomplish in the term direction including fiscal responsibility, housing options that work for Red Deer, and making sure there’s enough housing.

“We need to find ways for people to be able to invest in their communities, to invest in their homes, and create spaces for people to live. That was my intent in all of this,” he said.

The changes were approved through the Lancaster South Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan Bylaw Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment, which removed Direct Control Zone 35 and amended regulations related to house suites in duplexes. The Lancaster South Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan subsequently received second and third readings to align with the removal of Direct Control Zone 35.

Council also passed a business arising motion brought forward by councillor Krahn that directs administration to prepare a report for council by quarter four of 2027 in respect to the uptake, distribution, and barriers to backyard and house suite development in Red Deer.

Mayor Cindy Jefferies said she was torn on her decision.

She came in ready to support it, but after hearing concerns from community members, she decided to vote against it to provide a voice to the neighbourhoods who were against the changes.