Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
A Northern Sunrise County resident who requested redistricting of her property near Sunrise Gateway Business Park will have to provide extra information before council will consider the amendment.
The resident approached council earlier this year to allow Mixed Density Rural Residential District on her 7.96 acres, a property she wants to build tiny homes on to address the affordable housing shortage in the region.
“The applicant is looking to provide affordable housing for individuals by having tiny homes placed on the property but the land is not zoned for this type of development currently,” explains Reeve Corinna Williams.
“The location has few residential developments in the area; however, having the opportunity to provide affordable housing, with a minimal footprint on land that does not have a high agricultural value, was met upon favourably by council.”
Williams explains administration has been working with the landowner to help them move from being non-compliant to compliant. There are already structures on the property that have not been approved for development.
“Council has asked for additional information from the applicant, particularly around sewage management for the homes, and have also requested that the applicant apply for Direct Control, which enables council to be the development authority for this application,” explains Williams.
The applicant is a landowner who currently has two single detached dwellings and two tiny homes on their property, currently districted as Agricultural. These multiple dwellings currently make the applicant non-compliant and needs to redistrict the parcel to become complaint or remove the extra homes.
“Any type of housing, that does not require a large upfront cash deposit, such as purchasing a home requires, will help with housing shortages,” says Williams.
“As well, the tiny home concept has a lesser ground footprint and lower construction and operating/maintenance costs so the rent may be less than some apartment complexes or housing units may be.”
Williams says council will evaluate the request again after the information requested has been provided.
She notes in the future all applicants hoping to complete a similar endeavour will require separate approval. She says council will consider where in the county this requested development is and what the land district is.