The Town of Sylvan Lake will be holding a Secondary Suite Development Open House as part of their Secondary Suite Opportunities Initiative.
During the event, community members will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes to the Land Use Bylaw (LUB), which were brought forward during a council meeting on May 13.
"The initiative includes reviewing Secondary Suite Opportunities within the community and how we can support additional development suites as an affordable housing option for people interested in developing them," said Director of Planning and Development Kim Devlin.
At the event, attendees will also be able to talk to the Town's land use planners and learn more about the Housing Accelerator Fund grant.
"Community members will be able to see what changes are being considered, why those changes are being proposed, and why they are important for the community," Devlin said.
The proposed changes to the LUB brought up during the council meeting are important to pass, she added.
"The changes will allow for more flexibility as to where secondary suites can be built and in what building types they will be allowed."
"This will provide more opportunities for current and future homeowners by creating mortgage helper income, supporting multi-generational living, and meeting the need for smaller, more affordable rental units. These benefits can be achieved without changes to the character of single detached (housing) neighbourhoods," Devlin said.
Residents are looking for flexible housing solutions and by changing the LUB the Town is hoping to provide just that.
"Expanding opportunities for secondary suites is the most cost-effective way to help address these conditions with minimal impact to density and no additional infrastructure required," Devlin said.
The area subject to be redesignated with the changes to the LUB is within the area covered by the Crestview Outline Plan.
The Crestview Outline Plan identifies two social care facility sites, one located adjacent to Memorial Trail and the other south of the central park.
These sites can be used to build adult care residences, daycare facilities, and places of worship.
The parcels of land will be advertised for sale for one year after the subdivision registration as a social care facility site. If the parcels are not sold within this time the use will be reverted back to a residential use.
The proposed land use bylaw amendment will then rezone one parcel to Narrow Lot General Residential District (R5) and one to High Density Residential District (R3).
The Open House event discussing these changes will take place at the Seniors Centre in the NexSource Centre on May 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Individuals who can't make it to the event in person can reach out to the Town by submitting a question on the Ask and Answered section of the Engage Sylvan Lake website, engage.sylvanlake.ca.
A public hearing date for the changes to the LUB will take place on June 10.
