Are Changes needed to Lethbridge’s existing Land Use Bylaw? Ross Kilgour

Lethbridge’s existing Land Use Bylaw has served our community since 1986. During this time, several amendments have been undertaken to this Bylaw to address market demands and resident aspirations. However, since its creation almost 40 years ago it has not undergone a comprehensive renewal. The Land Use Bylaw sets out the rules for what kind of building or activity can take place on private property and outlines the process for issuing Development Permits that give approval for new buildings and activities.

In July 2023, the City of Lethbridge initiated a project to comprehensively renew its Land Use Bylaw to address current issues faced by the community. This is a three-year project with an anticipated completion in 2026. Phase 1 of this project focuses on addressing Land Use Bylaw regulations related to various social uses such as housing with social support and social services. This presentation will provide a full overview of this project and questions will be encouraged following the presentation. Project webpage: https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/lub

Speaker: Ross Kilgour

Ross Kilgour earned his first-class honours degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for the Top Final Year Graduate. He then worked in London, England, first as a planner for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea before moving to the private sector as a planning consultant with Firstplan Ltd. After immigrating to Canada in 2013, Ross joined the City of Lethbridge where he is now a Senior Community Planner, focusing primarily on the redevelopment of Lethbridge’s older neighbourhoods and the City’s heritage program. Ross’ specific passions in urbanism include sustainability, equity, planning/zoning reform, and enabling active transportation and walkable neighbourhoods. His research has been published in Planning Practice and Research journal.