Town eyes rules for moving homes

New guidelines may soon be in place for Turner Valley residents interested in moving homes that are already built to lots in town.

In response to complaints of moved-on dwellings left unfinished and unsightly, town council asked the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) and town planner Matthew Atkinson to work on guidelines for existing homes, duplexes and multiplexes that are moved into town.

A 17-page document outlining the proposed regulations was presented to council at its committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 6. A decision is expected to be made at its next regular council meeting on Oct. 20.

“It’s just another tool,” Turner Valley Mayor Kelly Tuck said. “Hopefully when someone is building and bringing in an infill it’s going to be clearly defined what pertains to them so everyone is very clear. There is an area, if someone is coming into town and wanting to build a duplex or a triplex, that speaks to what that has to look like.”

Council decided to establish regulations regarding moved-in dwellings in June after a number of homes were left unfinished for more than the two year timeframe required by the Town’s land-use bylaw.

The MPC studied development plans and land-use bylaws from other communities and worked with Atkinson to come up with architectural regulations over the summer.

Atkinson told council the guidelines will help residents who are looking to bring in existing single or multifamily detached homes on their land know what is expected of them.

“It will outline exactly what they should be looking for,” he said. “Our hope is for it to be integrated into the land-use bylaw in the future. I think this a great step forward for the community.”

Deputy mayor Dona Fluter asked the town how it plans to police regulations not being adhered to regarding completion of work on homes in Turner Valley.

“Who’s inspecting that from the town’s perspective?” she asked. “Who follows up on that, or do we wait for someone to phone in and say this isn’t done right? How do we manage that? I don’t think we have anybody going out and looking at that.”

Barry Williamson, the Town’s chief administrative officer, said houses where regulations haven’t been met would require further action, such as a stop order on work. If that is not adhered to or the developer continues to be in violation of the land use or development bylaw it may require legal action, he said.

Tuck said existing homes moved into Turner Valley more than two years ago that are not complete will be dealt with by the town planner.