Sad luck stories could help in Calgary secondary suite applications

The number of applications to the City of Calgary for legal secondary suites is on the upswing and the mayor says sad luck stories could swing it towards "approved."

It took city council most of the day to pore through 20 applications for basement or laneway suites Monday.

Sixteen of the applicants were approved.

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Mayor Naheed Nenshi says it's unclear if the economic downturn is the reason for the increase in applications.

"We certainly have seen a lot of them in the last year or two," Nenshi said.

"Whether that is due to a downturn in the economy or whether that is due to just the fact that more and more people are going through the process and we waived the fees and those are now working their way through the process, I can't say."

He adds if applicants have a sad story for requesting a secondary suite — like needing extra income — it seems to boost their chances of council approving a rezoning.

Some applicants said they need the extra income from a secondary suite.

Others said they need space for family members or they were sick and want someone else in their house.

"We are only supposed to look at the land use, not the user," he said.

"That's the same reason why we are not allowed by law, to have a bylaw that says the owner has to live there which I think would alleviate a lot of people's concerns but we can't do it. You know, are people actually swayed by these stories? It's hard to say but I will tell you the sadder the story, the more likely we are to grant the approval."

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