The need to compete with other Calgary area communities and ensure Cochrane reaches its growth targets largely fuelled town council's decision to revert back to a 1.2-metre side yard setback between R1 homes from 1.5m.

An effort by town councillor Marni Fedeyko to hear first-hand the views of local fire services officials before reaching a decision fell on deaf ears after council was assured the setbacks meet the national fire code and that the local fire service is able to meet the 10-minute response time standard.

If the setback wasn't changed, Mayor Jeff Genung expressed concerned that Cochrane would not remain competitive in a softening housing market. He believes Cochrane needs to be in line with what is offered by other Greater Calgary communities, using Okotoks as an example. He also suggested if the town doesn't meet its growth target of four per cent, existing taxpayers might have a shoulder a heavier tax load. The town has based its budget projections for the next three years upon a four per cent annual growth.

Still, with no secondary fire hall on the books to be developed in Cochrane, Fedeyko remains concerned and wants some assurance.

"I would feel more confident if I heard from our local department. I would rather be safer than sorry and with no secondary site solidified, thousands of homes to be built, now closer together, and geographical issues it will remain a concern of mine personally and something I will continue to monitor," says Fedeyko.

"There is no plan for a satellite or secondary station on the books as of now. I have been told fire response times will be monitored, however, I worry that when the time comes if we are not planning accordingly, the cost of a secondary site as well as members to cover will be a huge impact. I would feel more confident if we had a more solidified plan than what we have and will continue to advocate and push for safer communities overall."

In October 2016, town council increased the side yard setback to 1.5m in an effort to reinforce the need to maintain the unique appearances, feel and character of Cochrane. It was also believed residents would have greater privacy and it would increase the capacity for street parking

Councillor Tara McFadden says it proved to be a failed experiment and put the motion of the floor to support reverting back to the 1.2m setback.

Drew Hyndman, senior manager of planning services, explains the result of increasing the setback was fewer R1 properties being developed.

Since the bylaw came into effect only eight R1 lots, all in Precedence, have been included in subdivisions receiving land-use approved from the town.

"Most of the developers did not pursue the development of their R-1 lots due to the increased side yard setbacks and instead pursued R-2 developments that provide greater flexibility and a 1.2m side yard setback," says Hyndman. "As a result, very few, if any, R-1 parcels were built upon."

"Now with the revised side yard setback, I would anticipate those lots and future ones will be actively pursued."

Town councillor Morgan Nagel, who was the only other councillor opposed to reverting the setback, believes it's a step in the wrong direction. He suggested the town could instead increase the setback of R2  and R3 development to stimulate the development of R1 lots.

He also expressed concern over fire safety.

"Common sense tells me when you have houses close together you have a higher fire risk," said Nagel, who has long opposed high-density neighbourhoods.

While he didn't make the motion, Nagel did support the 1.5m setback established in 2016 and says at that time he also suggested it should be extended to R2 properties.

At a Nov. 26 public hearing town council heard several presentations supporting the need to reduce the setback from developers and from Charles Boechler of BILD Calgary Region, a building industry advocacy group. No one spoke against the reduction in the setback.

R1 districts are for single-detached residential development. R2 residential districts allow for single-detached, semi-detached, duplex and street-oriented townhome residential development.