Like most small towns in central Alberta, the Town of Olds is struggling to find a balance between residential growth that is palatable to both municipal planners and the concerns of homeowners.
Currently, the Town of Olds is debating the creation of a new land use bylaw (LUB) which proposes to streamline and update the rules and regulations related to future development.
In this letter, I will focus on the area I believe is most impactful to the citizens of Olds: the proposed elimination of the historic R1 single family home district under which most of the town is currently zoned.
The new LUB proposes to merge the existing R1 zoning – which allows for one secondary unit – with the current R2/R2N zoning – which allows up to four units – into a new designation called RTD. I apologize for the planning mumbo jumbo, but I’m trying to be as accurate as possible.
The Town of Olds is currently discussing how many residential units this new RTD designation should allow. A survey being circulated asks whether as many as six units per lot would be acceptable.
Would you be comfortable with a six-unit development next to your single-family home?
I understand why increased density makes sense from a town management perspective, especially as Olds attempts to maximize usage of its limited and aging infrastructure.
But do those benefits outweigh the significant changes this could bring to our block, our neighbourhood and our town?
After all, Olds is not Calgary. We don’t see the same sprawl challenges as larger cities.
Olds remains an attractive option for individuals and families seeking affordable single-family homes and spacious yards that are harder to find in big cities.
Many people I’ve spoken with have moved here from Calgary, where skyrocketing house prices and “infilling” initiatives have made life outside the city much more appealing.
This debate is unfolding in municipalities everywhere.
The goal of this letter is to make you aware of the process and encourage you to speak with your elected officials about their vision for our town’s growth.
This is a contentious issue that may affect voters’ choices in the upcoming provincewide municipal elections this October.
If you’ve been following Calgary’s city-wide zooming changes made about a year ago, you’ll know these controversial changes could result in the city’s mayor and much of its current council being thrown out in the fall municipal elections.
The best thing you can do is be informed and ask questions now. This issue will be presented to the existing Town of Olds council in September, so it’s critical to get involved immediately.
All too often, voters don’t engage until it’s too late – when policies they oppose have already been passed. Remember, if you’re not satisfied with the answers you receive, the municipal election in October gives you the power to make a change.
Don Dwyer,
Olds
