CARSTAIRS - The number of building permits issued by the Town of Carstairs was up in 2022 compared with 2021, with construction values of permitted residential, commercial and industrial projects totalling $22,287,195 issued last year, according to a report presented to town council.
The Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2022 building permits breakdown report outlined the number and category of permits issued. It was reviewed at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
Sixty-two residential permits were issued in 2022, compared with 38 in 2021, 25 in 2020, and 39 in 2019.
Ten commercial/industrial permits were issued in 2022, compared with six in 2021, eight in 2020 and 12 in 2019.
Mayor Lance Colby says the increase in permits is good news for Carstairs and indicates the community continues to thrive and move forward.
“That’s a good thing,” Colby told the Albertan. “It’s good sustained growth and a large variety of it too. We have single family, multi-family, industrial, commercial so it is a good mixture of development in town.
“And it still shows strong growth so that’s good for the tax base. It’s good for everything.”
A total of 37 single family dwelling permits with construction value of $12,925,000 were issued in 2022, 23 multi-family dwelling permits worth $6,611,899, and two modular home permits worth $28,000.
As well, 31 addition and renovation permits worth $632,300 were issued, 34 deck and ramp permits worth $129,796, six residential garage permits worth $205,000, and nine other permits were issued for such things as solar panels, driveway pads, change of occupancy, demolition and wood stoves worth a total of $105,200.
Total construction value of residential permits in 2022 was $20,377,195, compared with $11,774,500 in 2021, $6,354,960 in 2021, and $9,540,460 in 2020.
The total commercial/industrial permit value of $1,910,000 in 2022, compared with $4,630,000 in 2021.
Chief administrative officer Rick Blair said the 2021 number was markedly higher because the new Carstairs fire hall was included in that year’s total.
Meanwhile Blair noted that work on the 2023 operating budget is ongoing and is expected to come before council next month.
