BARRHEAD - Town of Barrhead councillors gave first reading to a bylaw that would allow for a single-family dwelling to be rezoned to a tri-plex or four-plex with 6-1 vote during their Nov. 12 meeting.
If passed, the bylaw would allow the landowner to re-district an empty lot on the corner of 48th Street and 52nd Avenue, immediately adjacent to the House of Print property, from R2 residential to R3 medium density.
The R2 designation allows property owners to build a single-family dwelling or a duplex, while the R3 designation allows building a tri-plex or four-plex.
Coun. Rod Klumph was opposed, saying he was a little "gun shy," referring to the backlash council faced when it attempted to rezone six lots in Beaver Brook Estates from R1 to R3.
In a separate motion, councillors also set Dec. 10 as the date of the required public hearing, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Town of Barrhead council chambers.
Legislative Services and development director and acting CAO Cheryl Callihoo said a potential developer is considering constructing a four-plex on the site.
However, she said the municipality had yet to receive a development permit application as the owners are waiting to see if the rezoning is successful.
Coun. Don Smith said that, according to his understanding of the land-use bylaw (LUB), a certain percentage of a lot must remain green space.
"Are we relaxing that, or is it an ask from [a proposed developer]? "
Callihoo replied that the LUB does not require a certain percentage of remaining green space, but it does limit the amount of a lot that can be used for construction.
"You are allowed to build on 40 per cent of your lot," she said.
Callihoo added that, according to the documentation provided, the proposed development would take up 44 per cent of the lot, requiring the developer to receive from council.
Klumph asked what the recommendation was from the municipal planning committee (MPC).
Callihoo said eventually, but that would only be once the municipality received a development permit application.
"Because it could all change," she said.
Klumph said he would be hesitant to approve such a development, suggesting the fourplex would block the sun from properties to the south.
However, Coun. Ty Assaf agreed, noting that the MPC had seen the tentative plans.
"But that wasn't one of our concerns at the time because it did not come to us as a fourplex," he said, adding it was initially presented as a duplex.
Assaf said when the property's owner changed their plans to a fourplex, they requested the plans be sent to council for the potential re-districting of the lot.
"[If it passes first reading] to begin the process and start the discussion," he said.
Coun. Dave Sawatzky agreed, saying there isn't much to discuss until council approves the first reading.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
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