SUNDRE — With council’s approval last week of a site specific exemption for the height of a structure, a proposed apartment complex in the downtown core that would include a commercial space is one step closer to becoming a reality.
The decision came by way of motion during the regular Jan. 11 meeting conducted by teleconference following a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the land use bylaw, which would add a site specific exception for the future construction of a mixed-use building located at 116 — 3rd Street SW that would allow a maximum height of 14.5 metres.
“It will not change the regulations in the balance of this (central commercial) district,” said Betty Ann Fountain, the municipality’s senior development officer, adding the town did not receive any objections to the amendment after adjacent landowners were contacted and public notices published.
The change, Fountain elaborated, is in line with the municipality’s vision for growth.
“The goal is to facilitate a community that can accommodate a wide variety of lifestyles, ages and incomes with an objective to promote a mix of housing types and forms to meet a variety of lifestyles and market preferences,” she said, adding administration recommend council gives second and third readings to the bylaw amendment.
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, said the town received an email from Chris Vardas, the owner of Original T’s Family Restaurant, regarding the proposed four-storey apartment building that would be constructed behind his establishment.
“He is OK with the difference on the height. He believes the town is in need of rental properties,” said Nelson.
Tom Mennear, the adjacent residential landowner, had called the municipality to state he was not opposed to the proposed project.
Additionally, Al Bertram, the owner of the land for the proposed apartment complex consented and supports the project, she said.
Nelson proceeded to read into the record correspondence from the developer, Jonathan Jacobson, president of Broder Homes.
“We have developed a proposal for a 31-unit, mixed-use rental building — 30 residential units and one commercial bay at this location,” she said.
“Due to the unique geographical constraints of the land, it was necessary to make the building four storeys.”
Although the project could have proceeded without requiring the height exemption if the building was designed with a flat roof, Jacobson wrote, “It is our strongly held position that a site specific exception on this property to allow for a pitched roof adds value to the downtown area, both in aesthetic appeal (and) soundness of construction, as flat roofs are not ideal for wood frame construction in Sundre due to snow load concerns.”
Both Bertram and Jacobson were on the line during the teleconference, and Jacobson wanted to provide additional context with regards to how the developer’s sights fell on Sundre.
“We’re currently constructing a duplex for clients over on fifth avenue, and it was your economic development officer, Jon Allan, who had ultimately connected us with the landowner,” said Jacobson, adding Allan encouraged him to connect with Bertram.
“Al and I have been kind of batting this back and forth for (several) months and working through what needed to happen. I want to be clear, too, that this project is being proposed as a rental property, not condos.”
Jacobson praised the town and said that in his six months of working with the municipality, “it never ceases to amaze me how my opinion of your community improves all the time, both in terms of development opportunities and how wonderful it is to work with your administration.
"I can tell you that it’s not nearly the case in many other communities I work with that it’s so seamless to move through the bureaucracy and council to get things to come forward.”
Bertram added he felt the apartment is a great project for Sundre that will provide additional rental options.
Nobody spoke in opposition to the bylaw amendment.
Barring further questions or discussion, mayor Terry Leslie declared the public hearing closed. Council later during the regular meeting unanimously carried motions to give the bylaw second and third readings.
