Modern duplex home (ID 19038308 © Melinda Fawver | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Accessory homes under consideration

Coldstream cautious on new housing options

May 28, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Coldstream council is moving carefully on approving changes to zoning and other measures that would allow for secondary suites, duplexes and carriage homes in more areas.

The Advisory Planning Commission (APC) sent a set of recommendations to Tuesday’s council session for endorsement.

• Amending zoning to allow accessory suites as a permitted use in three residential zones and creating two additional zones.
• Amending the Official Community Plan by adopting an “Intensive Residential Development Permit Area.”
• Continue to collect development cost charges for accessory suite construction, as per development cost charges bylaw.
• Continue to require servicing upgrades if required, as per Subdivision, Development and Servicing bylaw.

“The district would collect approximately $14,162 per new accessory residential building. This money isn’t put into general revenue, but instead capital reserve funds for the specific infrastructure needs,” Director of Development Ryan Roycroft noted in a report to the APC.

The report also suggests that zones that allow duplexes are seen as also being suitable for carriage homes, as they are already designated for two homes. At this time, Coldstream often sees the unintended situation where an applicant attempts to build a duplex or attached suite to comply with the bylaw, but only connecting the two units with a tiny non-functional breezeway.

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Council declined to endorse the recommendations without a plan and additional discussion with staff.

“We could change the recommendation so it reads that council ask staff to prepare a plan to regulate accessory residential suites in Coldstream. We would then have the opportunity to go through it, there is no rush for this thing,” Coun. Richard Enns said.

Enns’ motion, seconded by Coun. Doug Dirk, passed unanimously.

The full planning department report to the APC can be viewed here.