Lacombe builders face new deadlines for submitting building applications before new regulations kick in.
The changes are happening because the growing city can no longer guarantee a 10-minute fire response 90 per cent of the time. That means certain building exemptions no longer apply.
Depending on the size of side yard setback, the changes may affect the types of construction material used for side walls, or whether side windows will be permitted, says planning and development manager Lyla Peter in an update posted on the town’s website.
To give builders time to adjust, the city will not implement the changes until the beginning of April.
A series of deadlines have been set for builders who want their projects approved under existing standards. Discretionary use applications requiring municipal planning commission approval must be submitted by Feb. 14 to be considered, assuming there is no appeal. The same deadline applies to permitted use projects where a variance greater than 10 per cent applies.
The deadline for permitted use applications with less than 10 per cent variance is March 3, again assuming there is no appeal.
Permitted use permits that fully comply with the Land Use Bylaw must be submitted by March 13. No guarantee is given that applications that go in March 14 to 27 will be reviewed under the old regulations.