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1. What has been approved as part of the East Pine Multi-Family development permit?

Development permit 2021-338 is for multi-attached dwellings has been approved. The development permit includes 42 townhouses and one apartment building, for a total of 85 units. The development permit also includes landscaping, an amenity area (with a playground), parking and fencing. In addition, a variance was approved to increase the maximum allowable side yard setbacks, sitting the buildings further away from existing residents.

A variance is a change to a standard that is stated in the Beaumont Land Use Bylaw – Our Zoning Blueprint, that is authorized by the Development Authority. A setback is the minimum distance between the foundation wall of a building or structure and property line.

Multi-attached dwellings (such as townhomes and apartments) are allowed within Beaumont in the Integrated Neighbourhood District, which is a land use where the general intent of the district is to provide for a variety of housing options. 

2. How are decisions on development permits made?

When an application for a proposed development is submitted, the Development Authority (in this case, the Development Officer) reviews and considers if the application is consistent with the Beaumont Urban Design Guidelines and Our Zoning Blueprint: Beaumont Land Use Bylaw. To ensure that the application meets City standards, the Development Authority may request revisions from the builder until the site plan is considered satisfactory. If the application’s use is permitted and all Land Use Bylaw requirements are met, then the Development Authority must approve the proposal.

The applicant may request a variance from the requirements in the Land Use Bylaw. Variances are only approved if:

• the situation of the land causes practical difficulties regarding private use;
• the development is consistent with the surrounding character; and
• the impact to surrounding landowners is minimal.

Development permit decisions are made by the Development Authority. Approved development permits may or may not include conditions that must be met to develop the site.

The East Pine Multi-Family development is a permitted use in the Integrated Neighbourhood District with a variance to allow Building 1 to exceed the maximum 4 metre side yard setback by 5.3 metres on the east side, and for Building 9 to exceed the maximum 4 metre side yard setback by 5.9 metres on the east side, sitting the buildings further away from the existing residential properties. You may view the drawings here.  

The application was approved with 18 conditions and circulated to adjacent landowners.

3. What is the difference between a permitted and discretionary use in the Land Use Bylaw?

Permitted uses are identified within each Land Use District. You can find a map of these districts on the City of Beaumont website. Applications for permitted uses must be approved, with or without conditions, if the application conforms to Our Zoning Blueprint. Notifications are not circulated to adjacent landowners.

Discretionary uses are identified within each Land Use District. Applications for discretionary permits may or may not be approved based on the discretion of the Development Authority. Considerations include the surrounding context and the suitability of the site and infrastructure to support the proposed development. Notifications for discretionary uses are circulated to adjacent landowners.

4. When are development permit applications sent to surrounding landowners, and who is included?

A notice of decision is sent to adjacent landowners when an application for a discretionary use or a permitted use with a variance is made. Adjacent landowners include all those who share a property line with the development permit site, or who would share a property line if it were not for a road.

5. The development permit includes a variance to the Land Use Bylaw. What does this mean?

A variance is an alteration or change to a standard prescribed by Our Zoning Blueprint that is authorized by the Development Authority, the Subdivision Authority (the official or officials of the municipality appointed as the Subdivision Authority) or the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. The standard (from the land use bylaw) that was varied for the multi-attached dwellings is to allow Building 1 to exceed the maximum 4 metre side yard setback by 5.3 metres (for a total of 9.3 metres from property line) on the east side, and for Building 9 to exceed the maximum 4 metres side yard setback by 5.9 metres on the east side (for a total of 9.9 metres from property line), sitting the buildings further away from the existing residential properties.

6. What is the process to appeal an approved development permit?

The process to appeal an approved development permit is to file an appeal to the Secretary of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) directly at 780-929-1352 or at legislative@beaumont.ab.ca. You must pay the appeal fee of $100 within 21 days from the date that the decision was made (in this case, August 13, 2021). Anyone can file an appeal to the SDAB.

A hearing will be scheduled within 30 days of the application to appeal. Once an appeal is made, the SDAB makes a decision to:

• rescind the Development Authority’s decision;
• amend the conditions; or
• uphold the decision made by the Development Authority.

7. Where can I view the East Pine Multi-Family development permit decision?

You can visit the City’s website to view the approval of the development permit for the multi-attached dwelling (85 apartments and 42 townhouses).

8. Why is there a new development permit when one was previously approved on this site?

The applicant wanted to make changes to the previously approved development permit and therefore made a new application for the site. The previous development permit is no longer applicable to the site and has expired. The new application is required to go through the full process for development permit approval, including notifying adjacent property owners and the appeal period.

9. Does the proposed multi-family development meet the density requirements?

The proposed multi-family development (which contains an 85 unit apartment and 42 townhouses) meets the density requirements of the Area Structure Plan. An Area Structure Plan is a plan that provides long-range land use planning for undeveloped land within Beaumont. The plans identify major roadways, land uses, infrastructure requirements, parks, trails, and school sites. Area Structure Plans are approved and adopted by Council.