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Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Zoning Regulations
First seen: June 11, 2024
Last seen: July 9, 2024
Lifecycle Timeline
July 9, 2024Council
Full RecordingZoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 (Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing) Public Engagement - Councillor Lemon
Council requested that staff plan a public information session to clarify the impacts of the new Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing legislation, acknowledging widespread confusion.
"Councillor Lemon requested an information session due to significant public confusion regarding the implications of the new provincial housing legislation (Bylaw 1135). Staff acknowledged capacity issues but agreed to look at organizing a simple, minimal effort information session, possibly in October, to supplement the FAQs being developed for the municipal website."
June 18, 2024Council
Full RecordingZoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 A Bylaw to Amend Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 to Introduce Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Zoning Regulations
"Councillor Lemon and Mattson acknowledged the provincial mandate to adopt the bylaw. Councillor MacKenzie opposed, citing concern that the imposed maximum floor area standards are unnecessarily inflexible and discourage the construction of larger, accessible, or family-friendly homes, arguing it would unintentionally increase density on smaller lots."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 be adopted."
Moved by: Gery Lemon
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
June 11, 2024Council
Full RecordingZoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 A Bylaw to Amend Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 to Introduce Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Zoning Regulations
Council approved the new zoning regulations required by the province to permit duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in most single-family areas, incorporating local amendments to limit building size and enforce moderate setbacks.
"Council debated the necessity and severity of adopting the provincial SSMUH requirements. Councillor Rogers strongly opposed the overall bylaw, citing the lack of corresponding infrastructure support from the province and the severe implications for the town, though he voted to make procedural amendments to mitigate risk. Councillor Mattson acknowledged the lack of choice but praised staff for mitigating the worst effects. Mayor Tobias supported the bylaw as offering more palatable housing options than large comprehensive developments. Rogers successfully amended the motion to specifically remove lot coverage/impermeable surface removal from density definitions, arguing its inclusion risked legal challenge to the mandatory no-public-hearing notice. This amendment was then included in the final motion for the three readings."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 be further amended by removing lot coverage and impermeable surface coverage as provisions of density in all standard zones."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Sid Tobias
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the requirement for a public hearing be waived regarding the removal of lot coverage and impermeable surface coverage as provisions of density in all standard zones and the placement of these under a separate heading in Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014; AND THAT an amendment bylaw be prepared."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 be given first, second, and third reading with the following amendments: inclusion of garage floor areas in the floor area calculation; replacement of the setbacks in the proposed Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1135, 2024 with the setbacks in Option 2 that were presented in the attachments to the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Regulation Report to the Committee of the Whole dated May 14, 2024; and removal of lot coverage and impermeable surface coverage as provisions of density in all standard zones."
Moved by: Gery Lemon
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
Sid Tobias
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
Ron Mattson
John Rogers