Town of Penhold officials are considering amending the town’s land use bylaw following the 2008 annexation of four and a half quarter sections of land surrounding the municipality.
Last year the town updated its Municipal Development Plan and will now be taking a look at the future of residential and commercial land development in Penhold.
An area twice the current size of the town was annexed from Red Deer County and town officials are planning for the future uses of that land including potential new types of residential zoning districts.
Town council was presented with a report from Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS) that outlined the recommended changes to the bylaw at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 25.
“Some of the key things we will be looking at are site coverage, the storage of RV units, and multiple storage units,” said Penhold CAO Rick Binnendyk.
Site coverage refers to the percentage of space a lot can be covered by buildings, parking facilities, and driveways, which is in place to prevent overdevelopment, said Binnendyk.
In relation to site coverage, the new bylaw intends to address accessory buildings on plots of land. In residential areas it is proposed be no more then two accessory building permitted, including for example detached garages and sheds.
Changes to building orientation and design, parking, bicycle rack requirements, and signs, will also be looked at in the review of the bylaw.
Council discussed the proposal for the development of a new low density narrow lot with garage residential district (R1-C). The proposal was presented to council because of a developer’s interest in including this style as part of their development. The argument for the district is to provide more housing options for the community but town staff’s concerns are over aesthetics, the provision of adequate on-street parking and snow removal, sates the report from PCPS to council.
The district would allow for single dwellings with front attached garages on slightly wider lots then is allowed in the current low density developments in Penhold.
The town will be holding an open house for residents regarding the bylaw changes on February 10 at the Penhold Multiplex. There will be a drop-in session from 3-6:30 p.m. and a public meeting at 7 p.m.
After the open house, town officials will be look at the public feedback on the bylaw and will proceed with the first reading during the town council meeting.
The Town of Penhold’s land use bylawwas last reviewed in 2005.
