The density requirements for the municipality’s pocket neighbourhood zone are being amended in order to allow the sale of a municipal property at 8709 Jubilee Road East.
The property is the site of the former RCMP detachment.
Municipal council has accepted the highest of two offers, for $705,000 on the condition that the zoning limitations be amended.
The RPN-Residential Pocket Neighbourhood Zone was introduced when the zoning bylaw was rewritten in 2011.
This zone was to allow small, single-storey detached homes to be constructed on a single parcel of land in a cottage-style arrangement.
The first property with this zoning was for the former RCMP detachment.
The current density allows for 28 units per hectare, but the developer wishes to construct a greater number of smaller units.
“It appears reasonable to remove this regulation and control density through Floor Area Ratio as in all other residential zones,” Ian McIntosh, Director of Development Services, said in his report to council on Monday evening.
Under the existing RPN zone, development on the property would be limited to 14 units.
“This is an unworkable limit given current market demands,” McIntosh said. “The unit count is not a limiting factor in any other zone except RPN.”
Council gave first two readings to the bylaw amending the requirements for the Residential Pocket Neighbourhood Zone. The bylaw readings received unanimous support.