Riverview council will soon consider several major changes to the town’s planning documents.

The updates are being proposed as part of the town’s new municipal plan and zoning bylaw.

One of the bigger proposals is allowing four-unit buildings by default for single-unit and semi-detached dwellings to enable soft and gentle density.

Jennifer Brown, a project manager with Dillon Consulting, said those who attended open houses were generally supportive, but there were some concerns.

“On-street parking came up quite a bit, and just enforcement of rules like owner-occupancy,” Brown told council during a presentation on Monday.

More soft and gentle density

Single-unit and semi-detached dwellings would be allowed to have two accessory dwelling units as well as a garden suite.

Garden suites would face increased requirements, such as being “stylistically similar” to the main dwelling unit and having a maximum of two exterior doors on the street-facing façade.

Planners are also proposing that, in the case of adding a garden suite, the homeowner would have to live in the main dwelling.

Brown said this would help prevent numbered companies from coming in and buying up homes to add additional units, though she acknowledged it would be challenging for the town to enforce.

While four-unit buildings would be allowed by default under the proposed changes, she does not expect a huge rush for permits.

“What we’re expecting, though, is an uptick in one additional unit, not an uptick in two and three additional units. What we’re trying to introduce is more flexibility,” said Brown.

Other changes being proposed

The plan also proposes higher buildings in the town centre — up to eight stories by default from Strathmore Avenue to Downey Avenue.

It also calls for larger setbacks for taller buildings next to low-rise residential. For example, a 16-metre building would have a 16-metre setback while a 13-metre building would have a 13-metre setback.

Planners have also proposed applying a future development zone to the Bridgedale/Gunningsville area and to part of West Riverview for more detailed planning processes. The town is currently developing a secondary plan for the Bridgedale/Gunningsville area.

Brown said they are looking at a “bit of a balancing act” when it comes to updating the municipal plan and zoning bylaw.

Residents want to accommodate growth while carefully preserving the town’s suburban character, green spaces and quality of life, she added.

“We really heard that there is some clarity needed as to what is and what’s not going to be allowed and making sure that that gentle density still speaks to the character of the community,” said Brown.

Proposed changes part of federal funding

Coun. Richard Blackstock questioned town staff about what would happen if council does not approve the proposal.

CAO Colin Smith said that it would impact the Housing Accelerator Fund money they are receiving from the federal government.

“It’s not just whether we’re hitting our targets, it’s whether we’re hitting all of the initiatives we said we would do,” said Smith.

The municipal plan and zoning bylaw will come back to council for a public presentation on Aug. 11.

Input will be sought from the planning advisory committee, and council will hold a public hearing on Oct. 14.