Council Meeting Highlights - March 12, 2025

Meeting Date: March 12, 2025 

In attendance: Mayor Fule, Councillor Langmaid, Deputy Mayor Mitzner, Councillor Montgomery, Councillor Peterson, Councillor Wegener, and Councillor Wiley. 

Public Comments

• Claude Brown thanked Council for revisiting the matter of Garden and Garage Suites.

Business

 4.1     Lambert Village Snow Removal Petition

• On February 12, 2025 Administration received a petition containing 80 signatures requesting Parklane Way be added as a priority roadway to the Town of Strathmore's snow removal policy.
• The Town of Strathmore's CAO must make a declaration to Council on whether a petition is sufficient or insufficient within 45 days after the petition was filed (s. 226, Municipal Government Act).
• Council directed Administration to bring the addition of Parklane Way to the next snow management policy discussion, prior to the final Council meeting of the term.

4.2     Voluntary Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF)

• Council members from the Town of Strathmore, and Villages of Rockyford, Standard, and Hussar recently participated in a Regional Collaboration Workshop, where they explored the various opportunities and challenges our region collectively faces.
• Council directed staff to work with the Administration of Standard, Hussar and Rockyford to develop terms of reference, to guide the preparation of a voluntary Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) between the communities.

4.3.   Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 24-14 (Garage and Garden Suites) Review

• Staff brought a report to Council on Garage and Garden Suites in the Town.
  • Currently, garden and garage suites are a discretionary use in several of Strathmore’s low density residential districts. Staff may approve development permit applications for discretionary uses, depending on LUB compliance and, if in Staff's opinion, the proposed development would not:
    •  unduly interfere with the amenities of the neighbourhood, or
    •  materially interfere with or affect the use, enjoyment or value of neighbouring parcels of land  
  • The approval can be appealed, and adjacent properties are mailed notice of any discretionary use decisions or variances above 10% of a requirement as per the LUB. There is a 21-day appeal period if a permit is approved, and any appeals would be heard by the local Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
  • To date Staff have not received any applications for Garage and Garden Suite permits.
  • Staff shared that there are several upcoming developments that may provide for additional housing in Strathmore:

Subdivisions

• • • In Circulation: Subdivision Lakewood Phase 2B, 76 low/medium density lots
    • In Circulation: Subdivision Edgefield Phase 3, 101 low/medium density lots
    • Registered: The Ranch Phase 5, 59 low density lots
    • Registered: Strathmore Lakes Phase 15, 50 low/medium density lots

Development Permits

• • • Bayside Place, 50 apartment units
    • Lakes Estates Circle, 51 apartment/townhouse units
    • Brent Boulevard, 36 apartment/high density units

• Council directed Administration to prepare a Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw, removing the Garden and Garage Suite usage from Strathmore’s Low Density Districts, and to bring a proposal forward to a future Committee of the Whole for discussion.

Closed Meeting

Following the Closed Meeting Council directed Administration to:

• Bring to the April 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting a revised Terms of Reference for the Community Wellness Taskforce, with a focus on the planning and advisory function of the taskforce and extend the term of the Community Wellness Taskforce from May 2025 to September 10, 2025.

Bylaws

6.1      Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 24-22 (710 3rd Street, 712 3rd Street, 380 Ridge Road, and Area A Plan 0313207)

• Council gave First Reading to Bylaw No. 24-22 (710 3rd Street, 712 3rd Street, 380 Ridge Road, and Area A Plan 0313207)
• The Bylaw is regarding an application to accommodate the construction of a mixed use residential and commercial apartment complex.
• A Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 24-22 has been scheduled for April 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

6.2      Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-06 (Edgefield Phase 3) – Updated Application

• Council gave First Reading to Bylaw No. 25-06 (Edgefield Phase 3)
• The Bylaw is regarding a proposed re-designation to facilitate the development of R1N – Single Detached Residential (Narrow Lot) District, R2 – Low Density Residential District, R3M – Medium Density Modest Residential District, P1 (MR) - Public Service District. These properties are currently designated as AG – Agriculture General District in the Land Use Bylaw (LUB).
• A Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 25-06 has been scheduled for April 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, following the conclusion of the Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 24-22.

*Council Highlights provide a brief review of the information given and discussions had at Strathmore Town Council Meetings. Council Highlights are not presented as official minutes of the meeting and do not include items discussed in a closed meeting. Official meeting minutes can be accessed at the relevant date on the Council Calendar. 

Watch the full meeting here:

March 12, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 1

March 12, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 2

March 12, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 3

View all previous streams on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@TOStrathmore/streams