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Planners approve smallest lots

One of Red Deer’s newest neighbourhoods will also have its smallest lots.

One of Red Deer’s newest neighbourhoods will also have its smallest lots.

On Wednesday, Red Deer’s muncipal planning commission approved the subdivision of 39.3 acres of undeveloped land in Phase 1 of the Lancaster/Vanier East Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan — which is located south of Lancaster and east of Vanier Woods. The plan will result in the creation of 120 residential lots, including 39 zoned R1G.

Last month, city council voted to adopt the R1G zoning on a pilot basis in the southeast Red Deer subdivision.

R1G lots are similar to the city’s existing narrow residential lots, but are required to have an attached two-car front garage and a minimum depth of 30 metres — 6.6 metres less ­than the narrow lots.

They are common in Edmonton and Calgary but weren’t previously allowed in Red Deer.

Council voted to allow the creation of 162 R1G lots in the new Lancaster/Vanier East subdivision, with these to be evaluated before more are permitted in future subdivisions.

Municipal planning commission member Doug Janssen and Councillor Frank Wong expressed misgivings about the R1G zoning during Wednesday’s commission meeting.

“I have great concerns with the R1G count,” said Janssen, explaining that concrete could end up dominating the area.

However, Mayor Morris Flewwelling pointed out that the issue of R1G lots in the subdivision had already been addressed by council.

The commission was dealing with the subdivision application, he said.

Janssen also voiced concerns about congestion on the main road leading into a dense cluster of approximately 79 lots in the first phase of the subdivision.

The subdivision plan was presented on behalf of Melcor Developments Ltd. The remaining residential lots are zoned for low-density development, with four lots for a potential social care facility and a site for a place of worship also contemplated.