Connect with us
[the_ad id="89560"]

City of Red Deer

City Council Meeting Recap

Published

1 year ago

4 minute read

The following decisions were made at Monday’s regular City Council Meeting.

VEHICLES FOR HIRE – PRINCIPLES AND DISCUSSION:
An updated Vehicle for Hire Bylaw will be coming to back to City Council for First Reading later this year, following discussion and approval of the following recommendations:
  1. Replace the age-based restrictions with a vehicle mileage restriction of 350,000 kilometers
  2. Explore additional options related to plate limits
  3. Remove drop rates for taxis
  4. No change to current drop rates for Transportation Network Companies (rideshare)
  5. Explore additional options for regulations for Transportation Network Companies
  6. Simplification of the licensing process

Administration will take Council’s feedback to consider updates to the bylaw to come back in Fall 2023.

RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP BYLAW FUNDAMENTALS AND DISCUSSION:
Council discussed fundamental components related to pet ownership and endorsed four key principles that will inform a future Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw. The four principles that will influence the foundation of the bylaw include:

  1. Potential to license cats with a maximum of six cats per household.
  2. Maintain the limit of three dogs per household and include exceptions for new residents.
  3. Maintain maximum of four urban chickens per licence/household and remove cap on the number of licences available.
  4. Prohibit honeybee hives, excluding provincially licensed hives, and continued ongoing support for pollinator parks and natural area preservation initiatives.

First reading of a Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw will come back to Council for consideration in Fall 2023. Council approved one-time funding of $45,000 to maintain the current service levels, including enforcement costs.

This new bylaw would combine four bylaws that currently regulate animals in our city into one bylaw, including the Dog Bylaw, Cat Bylaw, Urban Chicken Bylaw and aspects of the Community Standards Bylaw as it relates to livestock.

2023 TAX RATE BYLAW
Council approved the annual property tax rate bylaw, including tax rates for requisitions The City collects on behalf of Alberta Education and Bridges Community Living. The City’s budget was set by City Council in December with a 4.61 per cent tax increase. When combined with requisitions The City must collect on behalf of other organizations, the actual tax increase is 2.46 per cent for residential and non-residential properties. Multi-family properties will see a tax increase of 6.64 per cent. Tax notices will be mailed May 23, 2023. Read more.

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA TAX BYLAW
Council passed the Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax and tax rate bylaw, which funds the Downtown Business Association (DBA). Read more.  

WESTERNER EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION LOAN BYLAW
Council approved second and third reading of the WEA Loan Bylaw to support shorter-term funding requirements while WEA regains financial sustainability. The loan is intended to support short-term cash flow for the Westerner by providing a $1 million line of credit for WEA to cover expenses prior to realizing event revenue. This contingency loan is seen as emergency funds, with an expectation for it to be paid back once revenue is realized and only used after their current line of credit.

PUBLIC HEARING – LAND USE BYLAW AMENDMENT
Following a public hearing, Council approved second and third reading to rezone 3718 46 Street in Eastview from R1A (semi detached dwelling/duplex) to R2 (medium density). The applicant intends to construct a new residential development on the property that is non-intrusive in design and contains slightly more units than the adjacent properties. This will gently increase density in the area. The maximum size of development for this property is four units (fourplex) based on site limitations and R2 District regulations, including landscaping, parking, and setback requirements.

—

To view the full Council agenda, video recording of the meeting and reports, visit: https://reddeer.ca/city-government/mayor-and-city-councillors/council-meetings-and-schedule/

Related Topics:
More from this author
City of Red Deer / 4 days ago

City Council paving the way for more house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes

City of Red Deer / 1 week ago

City presses ‘pause button’ on search for homeless shelter location

Addictions / 3 months ago

City Council decides to close Red Deer’s Overdose Prevention Site

City of Red Deer

City Council paving the way for more house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes

Published on May 13, 2024

By

Council adopts new Zoning Bylaw

At Monday’s regular City Council meeting, City Council passed second and third reading of the Zoning Bylaw 3357/2024, replacing the former Land Use Bylaw.

The goal of the Zoning Bylaw is to reduce red tape, permit more uses in each zone and improve ease and understanding of the document. Notable updates include:

  • Reduction from 11 residential districts to 9 zones
  • Reduction from 7 commercial districts to 6 zones
  • Reduction from 5 industrial districts to 3 zones
  • More permitted uses in each zone
  • More gentle density options to provide increased housing options, including house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes
  • Increased building heights to 12.5m that considers sightlines and privacy of existing dwellings
  • Greater flexibility for development applications
  • Expanded definitions
  • Reduction of duplex side yards, removal of side yard setbacks on corner lots, and reduced frontage in residential narrow lots to improve competitiveness
  • New regulations to gently transition existing neighbourhoods to maintain character

Following adoption of the Zoning Bylaw, the following amendments were made by City Council.

Proposed Amendment Public Hearing Date 
Increase suites from 15% to 25% of the houses in a neighbourhood.   June 24, 2024
Allow commercial uses on the main floor of R-H Residential High Density.   June 24, 2024
Correct errors in the PS Public Service Zone use list: (*Recommended) a) Gaming and Gambling Establishment (Only at the Westerner) b) Education Primary & Secondary – Add to discretionary use list   May 27, 2024
Returning the Cannabis Retail Sales setbacks to be consistent with the current Land Use Bylaw 3357/2006   May 27, 2024

“The new Zoning Bylaw incorporates years of public feedback and best practices to make a Zoning Bylaw that will result in more housing options, easier development, and ultimately will improve our competitiveness,” said David Girardin, Major Projects Planner. “With the approval of the Zoning Bylaw today, we are not finished our community engagement as there will be future public hearings on potential amendments in the coming weeks, as well as more formal public participation for each additional phase of the Zoning Bylaw.”

The Zoning Bylaw will come into effect in 30 days. Public participation for phase two of the Zoning Bylaw will begin later this year. For more information, visit engage.reddeer.ca.

Continue Reading

City of Red Deer

City presses ‘pause button’ on search for homeless shelter location

Published on May 10, 2024

By

City Council to consider requesting provincial Expression of Interest (EOI) related to permanent shelter

A formal request for a provincial Expression of Interest (EOI) is being considered by City Council on Monday after City Council decided to cease site selection until more information is available from the Government of Alberta related to vision and operator.

The decision to cease site selection occurred in an open meeting of Council on Monday, May 18, 2024. Since that time, Mayor Ken Johnston met with the provincial government to talk about proceeding with the development of the shelter in a new way, potentially issuing an EOI.

This is a shift from focusing on site right now. An EOI would help gauge interest related to potential shelter operators in Red Deer. It would help ensure understanding about options for operators and models in advance of any further site considerations by City Council.

“We have heard from citizens, that it is difficult to support the location of a future shelter in Red Deer without understanding what it will be. Our community wants to understand what services a future shelter may provide and how it will fit with our community,” said Mayor Johnston. “We have been looking for a different way through this process, and issuing and EOI may help City Council and our community better understand what options exist related to operators and operating models. We want to understand the vision the Government of Alberta has for a future shelter in our city.”

In April, Mayor Johnston met with the Government of Alberta related to vision and operator. Minister Nixon, Minister Williams, MLA LaGrange, MLA Stephan and Mayor Johnston were in attendance at the meeting with preliminary conversations occurring related to options for next steps.

As the Government of Alberta is responsible for the provision of shelter, it would be a provincial EOI. Red Deer City Council and administration continue to express their intention to remain committed to the project as outlined in the current Memorandum of Understanding between The City and the Government of Alberta.

Continue Reading

Trending

X