Turner Valley residents planning to move previously lived-in homes onto their property are going to be met with some restrictions.
During its regular meeting on June 16, Turner Valley Town council agreed to establish regulations regarding moved-in dwellings in response to those that have been moved into town and left unfinished.
Earlier this spring, the Town’s Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) suggested council put a temporary stop to moved-on dwellings until architectural regulations are established.
Council responded by passing two readings in support of the suggested bylaw change, with Turner Valley Mayor Kelly Tuck and Coun. Barry Crane in opposition.
The idea was also opposed by three Turner Valley residents, during a public hearing in May, who felt the change in bylaw would deter residents from considering moved-on housing. At its May 20 meeting, council made a new motion to permit homes to be moved into town on a case-by-case basis determined by the MPC until architectural regulations are in place.
Town council passed third and final reading for the bylaw change on June 16, following a public hearing where no one spoke on the issue.
“I think it’s a good compromise,” said MPC vice-chairperson Maureen Nelson of council’s decision. “I think it serves the residents well and it doesn’t stop anyone who has a plan in mind or underway. I’m comfortable with what council has done because it doesn’t close the door and it would still allow people to come forward to our planner, who would then bring it to the planning commission for consideration so that we have proper guarantees in place that it will be finished and look like a property that is a benefit to the community.”
Nelson said the MPC met four times in the last month and a half studying development plans and land-use bylaws from other communities and is working with the town planner to come up with architectural regulations.
They are expected to be in place in September.
“Hopefully some of the things that we are taking from them work really well here,” she said.
At last week’s council meeting, Deputy Mayor Dona Fluter said the bylaw change will empower the Town planner and MPC to have discretionary decision-making over moved-on dwellings and, prevent further situations of unsightly homes.
Mayor Kelly Tuck said the bylaw changes will set a standard for beautification in the community for those bringing in previously lived-in homes.
“Everybody has the right to have the home they can afford,” she said. “We just need to understand what that structure is going to look like and it’s about ensuring the jobs are completed.”
