An amendment bylaw that would have seen group homes added as discretionary use under the City of Wetaskiwin's Land Use Bylaw (LUB) was defeated following a public hearing on Feb. 10.
Bylaw 2083-24 to amend the LUB to add 'Limited Group Home' and 'Group Home' as discretionary uses in R2 Low Density Residential District, which would have allowed for the development of group homes for up to eight residents, passed first reading at the Jan. 13, 2025 regular council meeting.
"The amendment was initiated by an application from a group home operator seeking a development permit for a property zoned R2," said Kristen Hewlett, manager of communications for the city.
"Group homes are not allowed in R2, so they require an amendment in order to submit the development permit application."
The proposed amendment bylaw proved unpopular with the public, with six written submissions speaking against it received by the city prior to the public hearing.
The concerns expressed ranged from impact on property values, questions about the need for more group homes and any financial implications.
Three people also spoke at the public hearing.
"As a realtor for over 40 years in town, I feel it's not necessary," said Audrey Bannister.
"I think council's looking at what's in front of their face instead of what's ahead, which has happened before."
Bannister added she has clients she's working with who want to build houses in a lot that's directly adjacent to 10 acres of R2 zoned land and she didn't want to have to explain to them that it could be used for a group home in the future.
She suggested spot zoning could be done rather than adding a discretionary use to the bylaw.
"There's definitely a need for group homes and that stuff, but we have a lot of land around here," she said, adding other zoning districts already allow for group homes.
Administration recommended council approve the bylaw.
"This amendment is consistent with the purpose of the R2 district and regulation of similar uses," said Elisabeth Hill, long range planner.
The group homes wouldn't have included foster homes, extended medical treatment services such as alcohol or drug addiction treatment services or primary rehabilitation.
Hill added the amendment was also consistent with MDP policy, which state the city will provide diverse housing options.
Coun. Dean Billingsley put forward a motion to pass second reading of the amendment bylaw.
Billingsley then asked if there were currently any group homes in R2 zones that were not compliant.
Hill replied while there a number of groups homes are operating in R2 because they were licensed and had development permits back in the 90s, long before they were not allowed in R2, there is only one group home that is currently non-compliant.
"If this is defeated what happens to the group homes that are operating?" ask Billingsley.
The other group homes are legally non-compliant as they pre-date the zoning, but the one non-compliant home would either have to rezone their parcel or stop operating, said Hill.
Mayor Tyler Gandam noted that group homes are tax exempt.
"While I fully support development within the city, I do not support this kind of development here where it's not going to be a financial increase or advantage to having a group home being built," said Gandam.
"I won't be supporting the motion and it has to do with the property tax," he said.
The motion was defeated.
