CANMORE - A new apartment building in Stewart Creek's phase two will include three perpetually affordable housing units after approval by the Canmore Planning Commission in May.
CANMORE - A new apartment building in Stewart Creek's phase two will include three perpetually affordable housing units after approval by the Canmore Planning Commission in May.
The commission met on May 13 to consider an application by Distinctive Homes and architect Marshall Tittemore for the 54-unit Lookout Ridge building at 106 Stewart Creek Rise.
Junior planner Richard Williams told the Canmore Planning Commission (CPC) the site was challenging in terms of design because it slopes several metres in height between the back and the front of the property.
"It drops five metres from the peak of the ridge to the front of the site and seven metres at the rear, creating a challenging site," Williams said. "They regarded the site in 2017 and have proposed building a 54-unit apartment building with three perpetually affordable housing units."
One of the variances requested to roof peak and eave height, he said, is affected by grading of the site along the slope.
The height allowed in the district is 12 metres, but, due to the grading of the site, portions of the roof exceed that limit. Williams said the majority of the building meets the intent of the height regulation, but variances are required for the peaks toward the corners and the elevator structure.
The other variances were for roof pitch and density - an increase to 84.76 units per hectare from the district's 67 allowed - a 26 per cent variance.
The rationale for the increased density included the PAH units provided, which allows the developer an additional nine market units and is within the variance authority of the commission.
"The increased density is considered appropriate in this instance because of the PAH proposed," Williams said. "Administration is of the perspective the peak and eave requests are appropriate."
Architect Bill Marshall said his firm spends a lot of time looking at the context of a site and appropriateness when designing a building.
"It was a bit of a puzzle when we first looked at this site," Marshall said. "I think it is going to be a tremendous neighbourhood.
"We were looking to try and create some vitality in a suburban setting."
The application was unanimously approved by the board.
