Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Parks Canada has begun to consider if garage suites could help alleviate the housing shortage in Jasper and is currently awaiting municipal feedback.
In a letter to the municipality, Parks Canada provided a set of concept design plans for a garage suite to assist the field unit in formulating an interim policy for garage suites.
鈥淭he benefit of a garage suite is to create one extra dwelling unit on a site while not compromising required on-site parking, soft landscaping requirements, or Jasper鈥檚 Architectural Motif,鈥� the letter stated.
鈥淭he interim policy will only be applicable to one-unit and two-unit dwelling districts, with lane access, and only for detached garages located at the rear of the property.鈥�
Steven Young, spokesperson for Jasper National Park, said in an email that Parks Canada would draft an amendment to the town鈥檚 land-use policy, or an interim policy, should the proposal prove feasible.
This amendment would then be made available for public consultation through the Planning and Development Committee.
Parks Canada has asked the municipality to review the concept and bring forward any municipal concerns, such as utilities, increased vehicle congestion in alleys or emergency services.
Council members discussed the proposal during its committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 11.
Coun. Scott Wilson said this news was 鈥済reat progress鈥� but wanted to see the policy first.
Mayor Richard Ireland noted that he was curious how this proposal would affect parking and if there would be requirements or enforcement for this.
The garage suites proposal stems from a 2019 consultation process on accessory dwelling units.
As a result of the consultation process, the restriction on owner occupancy for the Compact Lot District was removed in 2020 and the interim policy for secondary Suites was enacted.
Parks Canada is also adjusting requirements for private home accommodation and is expecting to release a draft to the municipality for review within a few weeks.
