Changes to the zoning by-law that will hopefully foster more attainable and affordable housing will go before Prince Edward County Council next week.
At Wednesday’s Planning Committee meeting, council directed staff to make several changes to the by-law including adding a new urban residential zone.
Manager of Planning Michael Michaud says the R4 zone would be found in Picton and Wellington and includes reduced lot sizes and setbacks to help densify a development.
“Which means a greater provision of housing. More housing on the same round of property and as you know property is very expensive in the County. That hopefully drops the unit price and that savings is then passed onto the consumer and not pocketed by the developer.”
Council also directed staff to make several changes to the by-law including removing minimum dwelling unit provisions across the board that would allow for smaller homes that may be more affordable.
Manager of Planning Michael Michaud says that could make way for more tiny homes, however people may opt to just build a regular home with less square footage.
“From what we’ve heard from a number of developers, home builders that is, the difference in cost to build a tiny home versus, let’s say a 1,200 square foot bungalow, isn’t that great. So, I don’t know if we’re going to see an influx of tiny homes.”
Minimum frontage, and side and rear yard provisions for apartment buildings will also be decreased to possibly increase the number of apartment buildings that can be built.
Council meets in regular session on Tuesday.
Michaud says council has also asked that he and staff continue to investigate more ways to improve housing affordability and bring those measures back to council at a future meeting.
