Falls will continue halting boarding houses

City council extends interim control bylaw for one year

City council has extended an interim control bylaw for a year to temporarily halt further applications to allow boarding and rooming houses.

The extension will allow for the completion of a study and the creation of a planning and regulating framework on how to deal with the issue in the future.

Council passed a staff report recommending the extension during Tuesday evening’s meeting without discussion.

The issue first came to council’s attention around this time last year when the city’s committee of adjustment received an application for a boarding and rooming house designation on a motel on Lundy’s Lane, which caused some concerns.

Concerns regarding the application were raised by the Lundy’s Lane business improvement association, which noted the number of existing motels along Lundy’s Lane being used as boarding and rooming houses was on the increase, and the condition of properties was degenerating, resulting in frequent fire and police calls.

Last April, council passed an interim control bylaw to freeze the specific development for up to a year, while the city reviews and studies the specified land use.

In December, the municipality hired MHBC Planning to study the issue.

The interim control bylaw is set to expire April 26.

Staff said a progress report will be presented to council, tentatively scheduled for the May 8 meeting.

The study is anticipated to be completed by June or July with amendments to the Official Plan, zoning bylaw and licensing bylaw being brought before council for consideration.