Habitat plan not enough: Gananoque Council
Gananoque Council has decided to take a different tack in combating the shortage of affordable housing, instead supporting the Habitat for Humanity proposal.
On October 17, Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands submitted a proposal to council to build five affordable freehold townhomes on a parcel of land located at the southeast corner of William and Arthur Streets.
At the November 7 meeting, a majority of the council felt the plan was not sufficient.
Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable mortgages. Homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund used to build more homes. In addition to their mortgage payments, each homeowner invests hundreds of hours of their own labor in building their home and the homes of others.
However, city officials, looking at the municipal land inventory for surplus land that might be available for development, have identified two properties, located on William Street (the plot of land Habitat wants to build on) and Birch Street, both of which had previously been discussed by councils as development options. Residential, specifically affordable housing.
With this in mind, the Council decided to advertise the surplus plots of land for municipal needs and issue a call for expressions of interest for both plots to the market, inviting developers to submit proposals. Habitat for Humanity is able to present its proposal to the city along with other interested parties.
“(We’re) offering it to the entire community, whether it’s private developers, Habitat for Humanity or the city itself,” said Shelley Fournier, the city’s chief administrative officer. “The idea is that they can all submit their proposals and the council can really determine the best use for these parcels.”
The fair market value of the William Street parcel is $300,000, it was pointed out to the council. The staff believes the lot could easily accommodate 10 (or more) units. Therefore, they concluded that moving forward with Habitat’s proposal to build just five units on this parcel would not maximize the economic and social benefit to the city.
The fair market value of the Birch Street lot is $50,000 to $75,000. The piece can hold up to 12 units. Again, from the city’s perspective, building just five units on this lot would not result in the best economic and social impact for the city.
“Of the three options (seeking expressions of interest for both parcels) is the one that provides the greatest number of options for moving forward with public engagement,” Mayor John Beddoes said.
Gananoque Council has decided to take a different tack in combating the shortage of affordable housing, instead supporting the Habitat for Humanity proposal.
On October 17, Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands submitted a proposal to council to build five affordable freehold townhomes on a parcel of land located at the southeast corner of William and Arthur Streets.
At a meeting on November 7, a majority of the council felt the plan was insufficient.
Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable mortgages. Homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund used to build more homes. In addition to their mortgage payments, each homeowner invests hundreds of hours of their own labor in building their home and the homes of others.
However, city officials, looking at the municipal land inventory for surplus land that might be available for development, have identified two properties, located on William Street (the plot of land Habitat wants to build on) and Birch Street, both of which had previously been discussed by councils as development options. Residential, specifically affordable housing.
With this in mind, the Council decided to advertise the surplus plots of land for municipal needs and issue a call for expressions of interest for both plots to the market, inviting developers to submit proposals. Habitat for Humanity is able to present its proposal to the city along with other interested parties.
“(We’re) offering it to the entire community, whether it’s private developers, Habitat for Humanity or the city itself,” said Shelley Fournier, the city’s chief administrative officer. “The idea is that they can all submit their proposals and the council can really determine the best use for these parcels.”
The fair market value of the William Street parcel is $300,000, it was pointed out to the council. The staff believes the lot could easily accommodate 10 (or more) units. Therefore, they concluded that moving forward with Habitat’s proposal to build just five units on this parcel would not maximize the economic and social benefit to the city.
The fair market value of the Birch Street lot is $50,000 to $75,000. The piece can hold up to 12 units. Again, from the city’s perspective, building just five units on this lot would not result in the best economic and social impact for the city.
“Of the three options (seeking expressions of interest for both parcels) is the one that provides the greatest number of options for moving forward with public engagement,” Mayor John Beddoes said.
Staff completed a review of both properties with the goal of increasing their potential development opportunities. These were presented to the Council.
One scenario, with the William Street location, is a six-story building with 22 units and an underground parking garage.
The second scenario for the William Street property is a three-storey building with 10 units.
For the Birch Street location, staff presented the first scenario as being the same layout as the apartment on William Street, with a three-storey building. This will include 12 residential units.
The second scenario for the Birch Street site includes a three-storey stand-alone complex. This includes eight homes. The townhouse units will vary in height following the slope of the natural site. Some units may have an external basement.
The decision to invite developers, rather than sell directly to Habitat for Humanity at her suggestion, did not sit well with Vice Mayor Vicki Leckey and Coun. Anne-Marie Coyner, who were the only council members to vote against the motion.
“(Habitat for Humanity) is ready to build,” Coyner said. “They’ve done all their drawings, they’ve got the support and funding. What I’d like to see with the expression of interest is for us to stop throwing around the word ‘affordable’ without having something concrete. I think what this city needs is developers who will be thrilled to build what we actually need.” “And what we need is not for people who have incomes of $60,000, $70,000. We need a one-bedroom for $39,000 or $31,000. That’s what we need. We don’t have enough of that.”
(Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.)
The decision to invite developers, rather than sell directly to Habitat for Humanity at her suggestion, did not sit well with Vice Mayor Vicki Leckey and Coun. Anne-Marie Coyner, who were the only council members to vote against the motion.
“(Habitat for Humanity) is ready to build,” Coyner said. “They’ve done all their drawings, they’ve got the support and funding. What I’d like to see with the expression of interest is for us to stop throwing around the word ‘affordable’ without having something concrete. I think what this city needs is developers who will be thrilled to build what we actually need.” “And what we need is not for people who have incomes of $60,000, $70,000. We need a one-bedroom for $39,000 or $31,000. That’s what we need. We don’t have enough of that.”
(Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.)
Keith Dempsey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brockville Recorder and Times
