Powell River’s affordable housing rental complex was back before the city recently, with developers seeking a development variance permit.
City manager of planning services Jason Gow outlined the BC Housing Inclusion Homes project at the Tuesday, February 4, committee of the whole meeting. In a report to the committee, Gow stated that there is no question the community needs additional affordable housing units. He stated that the city’s rental vacancy rate hovers just about zero per cent and the cost for suitable rental units has increased significantly over the last few years.
“This proposal by BC Housing, in conjunction with their operating partner Powell River Inclusive Housing Society, will address some of this need,” stated Gow.
The proposal is for a four storey, 42-unit development with a range of unit sizes, from one to three bedrooms, which will provide subsidized living accommodations for a variety of people, including families, seniors and people with disabilities and mobility challenges.
The variance permit being sought is to relax the required number of off-street parking spaces from 63 to 42, and required setback of parking spaces from a side lot line from three metres to 1.6 metres on the Ontario Avenue property, which was transferred from city ownership to BC Housing in 2018.
“The only issue we have in meeting the requirements of the zoning bylaw is the off-street parking requirement, as they are proposing less than the required parking spaces,” Gow told the committee.
He said he wanted to give kudos to the designers because he thinks they have really succeeded.
“This is one of the best landscape plans I’ve seen,” said Gow. He said it was not just the trees and shrubs, which they have surrounding the building, but also the outdoor amenities and spaces. There is a community garden and gathering space on the property, a playground and a half basketball court.
“You really get who the users of this building are going to be, in providing those spaces where residents can gather,” said Gow. “My hat is off to this group. It really considers the long-term use of the project.”
Gow said the developers are proposing providing one parking space per unit and a handyDART parking space for the bus service. He said staff is supportive of the variance request.
“In this case it’s subsidized living accommodations for families and seniors and people with disabilities and mobility challenges,” said Gow. “This segment of the population, typically, own fewer cars, and so the proposed in parking is expected to align with their variance request.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said it was a beautiful looking apartment building. He said he was keen on the whole thing.
“Hats off to inclusion Powell River,” said Formosa. “I’m very proud of them and this project and the BC government. It’s much needed and I support it 100 per cent.”
Councillor Rob Southcott said he liked the gardening and hoped it would be a beautiful feature. He said the only thing he was not thrilled about was he only saw spaces for about eight bicycles. He added that the location of the building was in a walkable area, so people can walk and ride bikes to most of the amenities that residents need.
Gow said his understanding is there will be interior bike storage.
Councillor Cindy Elliott asked if there were electric charging stations. Inclusion chief executive officer Lilla Tipton, in attendance at the committee meeting, said there were plans for two charging stations.
Councillor George Doubt said his question was about walkability. He said he’d like to see required marked crosswalks in the neighbourhood so people are more protected when walking.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said this is an exciting project and she wanted to thank inclusion Powell River and BC Housing.
“It’s been a long haul but I’m really excited about it,” said Hathaway. “It’s an amazing building and I’m sure it’s going to make a lot of people happy having a home in there.”
The committee voted that staff be directed to give notice of council’s intention to consider issuing a development variance permit.
