Town council to re-zone east side land

By Rob Vogt

Claresholm town council has taken the first step in re-zoning land on the northeast side of town to pave the way for a housing development.
At its Aug. 11 meeting, council approved first reading of a bylaw re-zoning land adjacent to Second Street East and south of Patterson Heights Boulevard.
A report from administration explained the Town of Claresholm is processing a subdivision application for the lands. The applicant has submitted a land-use bylaw application concurrently.
This is the first step to align zoning with the intended development. This development would provide additional housing within Claresholm. This subdivision and zoning change does not currently align with the town’s municipal development plan, but it has been noted within the changes for an update to the municipal development plan.
The Oldman River Regional Services Commission has been working on updates since the last annexation of land by the town.
The location of the lots, which are residential, is adjacent to existing residential and would fit in with the neighbourhood character as proposed.
In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, the land-use bylaw amendment requires a public hearing and advertisement prior to giving second reading and notice given.
Administration then recommended council pass first reading to allow the bylaw to continue to the public hearing stage.
There were also comments from the town’s planner, stating that although the lands are not identified for residential development within the municipal development plan, the change in land-use designation is supported by a number of objectives and policies within the document including:
3.3.3 To encourage the consumption of existing serviceable lands prior to undertaking new residential subdivisions.
3.4.2 The town will encourage residential neighbourhoods to be developed in areas that are in close proximity to schools and community facilities including parks and trails.
3.4.4 New residential development will be planned such that existing municipal infrastructure is utilized to the most sustainable extent possible.
3.4.5 The town supports the infilling of vacant lots and the rehabilitation of existing homes as an alternative to the development of new residential areas.
If Council finds the lands suitable for the land-use district proposed and the re-zoning bylaw receives all three readings, a development permit may be issued, in accordance with the land-use bylaw, for any listed use within the residential – R1 land-use district. At the time of development, the development authority shall consider the following policies from the municipal development plan:
3.4.6 All infill development shall be of a form that is compatible with the surrounding area in terms of height, scale, and density.
3.4.10 In situations where it is not possible to separate residential development from incompatible uses, a landscaped buffer, berm, or some other screening will be required.
If adopted, the change in land-use redesignation will be included in the mapping updates being made to the municipal development plan.
Coun. Kieth Carlson asked about Second Street East and the impact of traffic on the development.
“I’d like that further explored please,” he said.
Council then passed first reading to re-zone the land.
Council also directed administration to investigate traffic patterns as they relate to commercial traffic along Second Street East north of 50th Avenue.