OLDS — Town council has approved a bylaw change to pave the way for a building in the Uptowne area to house a business at the front, and residential at the back.
Council made that decision during its April 11 meeting.
During a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the land use bylaw, James Crozier, the town’s manager of planning and infrastructure, said currently the use allowed in that area is only for commercial above grade.
The applicant wants to renovate the commercial property at grade and add a residential use at the back of the property.
“Access from the street would remain solely commercial. Access to the residential (part) would be from the rear of the property,” he said.
In a request for decision, Kyle Sloan, the town’s development officer, noted that the Uptowne Olds Area Redevelopment Plan “supports residential and commercial mixed-use developments but discourages a horizontal mixing of the uses.
“However, administration believes the intent of this policy is to create a vibrant commercial streetscape along the fronts of buildings.
“Rear yards and lanes are less suitable for commercial uses due to the lack of visibility for signage and customer access.”
Mayor Judy Dahl opened the floor for comment from the public but there was no one in the gallery to do so, so she closed the hearing.
She asked for comment or concerns from councillors but there were none.
Second as well as third and final readings of the bylaw were passed unanimously.
