A proposed bylaw regulating secondary suites in country residential and agricultural properties within Okotoks has been abandoned.
Town council voted on Feb. 24 to discard Bylaw 02-20, which had been brought to public hearing for second and third reading on Feb. 10.
Concerns over the proposed bylaw had been raised by resident Dan Wolf, who submitted a letter prior to the Feb. 10 hearing stating the bylaw was too restrictive for rural properties. Bylaw 02-20 had said a dwelling-accessory (secondary suite) should not be developed on the same titled lot as a home occupation major (business), which he said didn’t align with County regulations.
“This restriction should be removed for MD Agriculture and MD Country Residential zoned land,” Wolf’s letter stated. “The landowners should be able to have a major home occupation and a dwelling or secondary suite. Could you make this amendment or change before council votes to approve?”
Council had questioned the bylaw, as its purpose was to follow Foothills County’s policies for its country residential and agriculture lots on annexed lands, but based on Wolf’s letter the rules would be different.
Discussion and third reading of the bylaw was postponed to Feb. 24, and administration was instructed to re-evaluate secondary suite and home occupation-major policies and determine whether changes could be made to better align with the County rules.
“On second review of the general regulations around suites, we decided we would like to do a more thorough review of it and perhaps make a few adjustments for suites and accessory dwellings that are located on rural properties,” said Amanda Brinda, Okotoks senior planner.
She said Town planning staff will develop a new land-use bylaw amendment to address secondary suites and home occupations, and it will be presented at a future, undetermined, council meeting.
Coun. Matt Rockley, who had questioned the merits of proceeding with discussion on Feb. 10, agreed with the decision to abandon the bylaw as it was presented.
“Due to the long-lasting impact this may have it’s important to get it right and as new information comes forward I think it’s good for administration to recognize we needed a course change and I support them in this,” said Rockley.
