Acreages allowed to add suites, carriages

SUMMERLAND — Secondary suites will now be allowed on small-acreage agricultural properties and carriage houses on properties zoned country-residential.

Following a public hearing Tuesday, council gave third reading to the required zoning text amendment.

Two residents spoke at the hearing: one in favour and the other opposed.

The supporter said that construction of a carriage house would permit two generations of her family to live on the same properties.

The resident in opposition said that secondary suites and carriage houses would not benefit densification because they would be located in areas outside the urban core.

He also said the Hunters Hill development with 60 lots, each with a single-family home, could become 120 homes and questioned if that potential change would necessitate a reconsideration of the fire, water and environmental assessments.

“The lots are going for $300,000 before a house is built. I doubt if those purchasers will need a mortgage helper,” he said.

Director of development services Dean Strachan explained that a secondary suite forms a single real estate entity with the principal dwelling to a maximum of 90 square metres or 40 per cent of the gross floor area.

Carriage houses are considered accessory structures, limited to no more than 90 square metres and are not permitted on a lot where a secondary suite is located.