DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury issued more than 30 principal dwelling unit permits in 2024, up sharply from 2023’s total of six and 2022’s total of 13.
The town's chief administrative officer, Ethan Gorner, presented 2024 permit and land use statistics as part of monthly report presented during the Jan. 28 council meeting.
The 34 principal dwelling unit construction value was $8,090,000, up from $1,650,000 in 2023.
There were no commercial retail permits issued in 2024, compared with one in 2023.
A total of 51 accessory buildings, structures, and other use permits were issued in 2024, with construction value of $850,000. That compares with 55 permits issued in 2023 with construction values of $2.2 million.
Seven garage/shed/structures permits were issued in 2024, down from 35 in 2023.
The town issued three additions permits, 11 deck permits, four demolition permits, and four secondary suite permits.
Ten change of use permits were issued and nine signage permits.
There were six subdivisions approved last year, compared with two in 2023.
Fire department responded to 51 calls
Gorner's report also included statistics from the Didsbury Fire Department's fourth quarter, which covered October to December.
Department members responded to 51 calls, including 14 alarms, 15 EMS assists, 11 motor vehicle collisions, and two structure fires.
Of the 15 EMS calls, four were for EMS requests to help load patients, six were co-response determinants where fire was dispatched automatically regardless of where AHS was coming from, two were co-response to AHS having greater than 15 minute response time, and three were for AHS crews requesting assistance other than patient lift.
Thirty-one of the calls were in town, 17 in the rural area, two mutual aid rural, and one mutual aid urban.
Gorner also gave an update on the ice condenser unit at the Didsbury Memorial Complex.
“Council has approved the purchase of a new condenser unit, and it is still anticipated that the unit will be delivered and installed this summer and be operational next season,” he said.
“We truly appreciate the understanding and support of our local user groups who have been effected, and we thank all our neighbouring communities for stepping up and offering the use of their facilities.”
Ice surfaces at the complex were closed for the 2024-25 season due to the mechanical failure of the existing condenser.
Council accepted the report as information.
