The city has reached a compromise with home builders and lot developers in Grande Prairie on how to best regulate driveway width. Stakeholders initially took issue with restrictions that would have limited their ability to build three car garage homes on the majority of lots in the city.
The newly proposed alternative instead stipulates all driveways in the city be limited to 60 per cent of the width of the lot, except in the case of three car garage homes which would could be built to a maximum of 70 per cent of the width of the lot
The bylaw amendment would also limit three car garage homes to only being built lots that are 13.4 metres (44 ft) or wider which city planner Reed Des Roches says sets an appropriate standard.
“13.4 metres is what developers are commonly provided but in some cases they are providing three car garages on smaller lots so the appearance from the street means all you see is garage and there’s about 1.2 metres for the doorway and so with these requirements there would be significantly more [space for doorways].”
Grande Prairie Canadian Home Builders Association President Chris Newberry is one of those stakeholders who consulted with Des Roches on the changes. He says this alternative proposal accommodates his concerns 100 per cent.
“This proposal will eliminate three car garages on lots that are way too small for it. It’s a happy medium, I think for both. We’ll still be able to provide three car garages to the public and it will also prevent us from building on lots where they shouldn’t be built.”
The proposed changes to the Land Use Bylaw will go through a public hearing at a future city council meeting before they can be approved.
