The issue of secondary suites has been taken out of the hands of town councillors in High River.

That's one major part of the new Land Use Bylaw.

Councillor Cathy Couey says there's a lot of misinformation out there about the suites.

"I've talked to realtors and they don't devalue a home, they actually increase the value of a home, they don't decrease the value in a neighbourhood, and I also think it's a great way for us to increase our density within our boundaries," Couey says. "I think municipalities need to be very, very conscientious of the sprawl that we are taking over outside of our communities and this is one way really look at those density issues and deal with them in a unique way."

She says the suites provide opportunities for someone who has lost their spouse or is going through a divorce to be able to afford to remain in their home longer or for a first time buyer to be able to afford a home.

"There's also a false sense that secondary suite attract a less-than-desirable neighbour and I don't think that's true," she says. "Good strong communities are built on relationships and by creating those relationships I think we think twice about what we might do to annoy our neighbours, so I encourage people to build those relationships."

Under the new bylaw, a house with a secondary suite will be dealt simply as two dwelling units with no primary or secondary designations and applications will be handled by town staff.