Suites approved, parking requirements upheld

Crowsnest Pass council passed a land use bylaw amendment Feb. 24 allowing secondary suites in duplex or semi-detached dwellings and in multi-unit residential buildings, with councillors arguing the change is one more tool to address housing shortages while also tightening off street parking requirements.

Bylaw 1253, 2026 came forward as a text amendment applying across the municipality rather than to a single parcel. CAO Patrick Thomas said the amendment was intended to “broaden diversify the variety and housing style” and “increase attainment housing opportunities to serve the community.”

The issue drew criticism during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Logan Smith said he opposed the bylaw and argued residents were not adequately notified.

“We never received any letters about this,” Smith said. He said the timing of a weekday afternoon public hearing made it difficult for working residents to attend and said the change could open the door to overcrowding.

Council later returned to the bylaw for second and third reading. Thomas said the version brought forward included a key change tied to parking standards.

“Neither the Development authority nor board can improve variance to the off-street parking requirement for either secondary suite or the principal building,” Thomas said, explaining that adequate parking must be provided for both the main unit and the suite and that decision makers could not waive that requirement through variances.

Vastenhout asked for clarification on the parking language and Thomas explained the intent was to protect the standards so the requirement could not be reduced during the approval process.

Rypien questioned how some residents said they were not aware of the bylaw. Thomas said the bylaw is a broad text amendment applying across zones and is not tied to a single property, so notice differs from parcel specific rezoning.

Ward said the housing shortage is visible in day-to-day rental searches.

“You can go on Facebook today and try to find a place to rent. There is nothing out there and if you do find something, it’s very expensive and will be until supply catches up to demand,” Ward said. He said expanding housing options is part of addressing demand.

Glavin said the change fits within broader efforts to diversify housing types.

We have a housing crisis right across Canada and if we don’t densify or diversify our housing styles,” Glavin said, adding she supported the amendment especially because the parking standards cannot be varied.

Johnson said she appreciated the focus on parking impacts tied to densification.

“I do appreciate that we’re protecting the parking that is one of the more nasty impacts of densification,” Johnson said.

Council carried second and third reading. Residents interested in how the change affects future development applications can review the land use bylaw updates and fol-low upcoming agendas for related housing items.