The implementation of seven key initiatives will enable us to build more diverse and affordable housing options for current and future residents, resulting in a more resilient and adaptable community for generations.
The community will be invited to participate in robust engagement opportunities about the initiatives outlined below to help ensure we find solutions that work for us all. More information will be provided on how to get involved as we move initiatives forward.
Land Use Bylaw (LUB) Renewal
The City will renew the Land Use Bylaw over the next two years. Four initiatives in Leduc’s Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan could be incorporated into the Land Use Bylaw renewal, including:
Initiative 1
Explore zoning changes to allow four housing units on residential and mixed-use lots, or more than 4 units in very particular and appropriate areas, to help create healthier and stronger communities that welcomes everyone by providing a greater variety of housing options. The focus of this initiative will be to create more options for housing while protecting the livability and character of where we live.
Initiative 3
Create pre-approved housing design templates (a design catalogue) that reflect what is permitted under the renewed Land Use Bylaw that will be developed. This will accelerate housing by providing certainty and reducing red tape and make it easy for builders to use our new bylaw. The design catalogue will guide infill development near transit stops and routes within densely populated areas of the city.
Initiative 4
Seek approval for land use changes to make it easier to build housing in Leduc. This will help ensure we have a place for everyone to live in our community. We will look to create more options for existing homeowners too, so that homeowners can change / renovate their house to meet their housing needs without moving. This strengthens our social fabric and means people don’t have to leave their friends and family when their housing needs change.
Initiative 6
Develop a parking and public transportation strategy to understand constraints and opportunities for improvement in these areas in Leduc. Parking is important to get right, because it impacts how people use and move around in their community. The strategy will consider if there are barriers preventing housing from being developed, and potential solutions. We also know that transportation places significant strain on household budgets and we want to make sure public transportation supports affordability and choice for households.
Policy Work Related to Housing Programs and Incentives
These initiatives are focused on adding missing middle, missing middle other and affordable housing options to Leduc.
Initiative 2
Create a fast-tracking and concierge services policy to formalize and combine past practices with new practices to allow us to provide more efficient permitting. This will explore innovative approaches, like:
- Creating policies for pre-application meeting services;
- Formalizing and potentially modifying our key performance indicators for development and building permits;
- Exploring the option to temporarily freeze the cost of permit charges and fees;
- Updating the CityView web-portal to improve the customer experience; and,
- Expanding the City’s fast-track permit service to non-market and rental housing and other housing types (beyond single-detached buildings).
Initiative 5
Create an Affordable and Missing Middle Housing Program to help streamline housing development. The program will assess whether there are private lands or City lands underutilized or restricted by servicing, zoning or other barriers. Should one of these parcels of land be developed for non-market housing, it may be eligible for an incentive outlined in Initiative 7.
Initiative 7
Create a pilot program targeting new accessory housing units, innovative housing designs, rentals and affordable housing guaranteed to remain affordable for at least 20 years. This program will help incentivize the development of missing middle and non-market housing. Incentives will be considered through density bonuses, permit fee reductions, tax deductions or direct contributions. This program will require builders to have met the City’s requirements as a reputable organization.
