CARSTAIRS - Development in Carstairs in 2018 is keeping pace with the rate of development seen in 2017.
“We’re right on keel with last year’s numbers, so we’re really glad with that,” said planning and development administrator Cathy Lensen.
She said in 2018 as of mid-June there have been 59 development and building permits issued.
However, the first half of 2018 has seen more new home starts than the first half of 2017.
So far this year, 23 of those 59 permits have been for new homes. Last year in mid-June there were 16 new home starts.
Lensen said the goal in 2018 is the same as 2017 -- to have 50 new homes underway. Last year the total was 68.
“We’re hopefully projecting the same thing this year; we’re targeting 50 but we’ll take more if we get them,” she said. She explained the latter half of the year is usually the busiest time for permit applications.
Active building is going on in Stonebridge Glen, Stone Garden Villas, Scarlett Ranch, the Havenfields and Lackner Estates.
The other 36 permits issued by the midpoint of this year are for home renovations like decks or basements, Lensen said.
“Industrial and commercial we don’t have a lot active right now,” she said. She said there are some potential commercial projects on the horizon, but she couldn’t make anything public until a formal application is made.
Meeting the goal of 50 or more new homes is the main focus, she said. On the commercial side of things, it depends what projects are in a position to move forward.
The total value of the 59 permits issued as of mid-June 2018 is about $5 million, Lensen said. The total for the whole of 2017 was a value $19.1 million for 144 permits, and it’s likely a similar number can be achieved this year.
“We’re only at 23 new home starts, so of course if we hit our target of 50-plus we’ll be right online with last year,” she said. “We should be able to get to at least 140 permits, 140-plus … our third and fourth quarter will be strong.”
“We’re pleased with our numbers to date so far,” Lensen said.
