Sidney residents packed council chambers Tuesday night to hear whether council would agree to amend the town’s recently changed zoning bylaw.
Sidney Mayor Larry Cross stated council has learned “a great deal” from their failure to clearly notify the public about the bylaw changes.
He said that in the future, residents would be notified with a letter.
Council’s decision to amend the zoning bylaw will have properties currently considered non-conforming back to legal conforming status, he said.
“We’re in the process of changing [the bylaw],” Cross said Wednesday, adding council hopes to have the amendment approved soon after the mid-August public hearing.
Council went through the agenda in seven minutes, approving staff recommendations to review the bylaw under the official community plan to allow single family homes on multi-family lots.
The room filled with applause as residents trickled out of the chamber.
Many residents gathered outside after the meeting, discussing among themselves their relief that council had chosen to review the bylaw.
“It’s definitely positive, it’s going in the right direction,” said Lois Allen, who lives on Seventh Street.
“We’re looking forward to the next stage,” added Lawrence Bold-de-Haughton, also a resident on Seventh.
While Bold-de-Haughton said he doesn’t disagree with the changes that were made to the bylaw, he’s irritated by the fact residents weren’t made aware of possible consequences.
“I think that’s a major issue and where they were seriously wrong,” he said.
A public hearing will be held on Monday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.
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• Original article: Sidney considers zoning changes