An affordable housing development planned for the Glenmore neighbourhood was approved by city council at a Nov. 5 public hearing.
The six-storey, 68-unit rental-only building will be built at 1951 Cross Road, at the intersection of Glenmore Rd. M鈥檃kola Development Services is partnering with BC Housing and Turning Points Collaborative Society, which will operate the building.
The city owns the land and is leasing it back to BC Housing for a nominal fee. The applicant requested a reduction in parking stalls from 71 to 56, which prompted concerns about spillover parking from some councillors.
鈥淲e鈥檙e confident that the parking mix for this site is adequate,鈥� said Kelly Fehr, executive director of operations at Turning Points.
Mayor Tom Dyas suggested that the parties look for opportunities on the property to provide additional parking.
鈥淚t may be advantageous to look at that in the landscape design so that potentially it鈥檚 there if it is required in the future,鈥� he said.
M鈥檃kola Development Services is also in discussions with Modo to provide a car-share program for tenants. The mixed-rent model for the building will offer a range of affordability for tenants chosen from the BC Housing registry.
鈥淓ach and every unit will be below market rent, but by how much depends on the funding program,鈥� Morgan Henderson with M鈥檃kola Development Services told council.
The building will have studio to three-bedroom apartments. Ryan Smith, Divisional Director of Planning and Development, said this and similar projects, help bolster affordable housing numbers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e tracking these developments as they go through our system, trying to get them to council as quickly as possible and giving them the white-glove service,鈥� he added.
Councillor Luke Stack noted the project strikes a balance of city priorities.
鈥淏etween affordable housing, location, and amenity space, it鈥檚 very supportive to see that,鈥� Stack said.
Council voted unanimously to approve the development. Coun. Gord Lovegrove recused himself from the discussion and vote, stating that he owns property adjacent to the site.
