City of Powell River councillors have opted to go with a developer’s offer of affordable housing units for a planned 40-apartment complex between Franklin and Alberta avenues in Westview, rather than a staff recommendation.
At the January 16 committee of the whole meeting, councillors reviewed a report from staff regarding the development, proposed by Veyron Properties, the group that is also building the 141-unit apartment complex on Joyce Avenue and Edgehill Crescent near qathet General Hospital
At the meeting, city director of planning services Jason Gow brought forward a recommendation that the applicant supply two-micro-units, two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units for a term of 25 years as affordable housing units. Veyron had proposed offering three micro-units and three one-bedroom units for 15 years.
Gow, at the meeting, said that at a December 7, 2023, meeting, council approved a development variance that permits Veyron to reduce the number of on-street parking units, and the raise maximum height restrictions, from 13.5 metres to 19 metres. He said the recommendation from staff was to decline Veyron’s affordable housing units offer.
“While 15 per cent of the units equals six, the type of units offered does not reflect the diversity of unit types,” said Gow. “Veyron’s offer does not include any two-bedroom units.
“In considering the city’s recently adopted housing needs assessment, it indicates the need for multi-bedroom units in both the affordable housing category, as well as the market rentals. It is recommended that council request the offer be amended to secure as affordable housing units, two micro-units, two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units for a term of 25 years.”
Mayor Ron Woznow said he was in favour of what the developer proposed.
Councillor Rob Southcott asked what if council opted for the staff recommendation and the developer decided they couldn’t make a go of it financially.
“Do we lose the opportunity and wait for something else down the road?” asked Southcott.
Gow said the recommendation from staff was in keeping with the housing needs assessment and housing implementation plan, both adopted by council. He said he understood council’s concerns and an option to go with the developer’s proposal was included in the report intentionally in case councillors were feeling the pressure of losing a development altogether.
Veyron president Brett Giese said what his company has offered for affordable rentals has real financial implications. He said he has looked at factors such as rents, debt servicing costs and other factors to determine if the project is viable. He said offering two-bedroom units at half of market rents would impact operating costs.
Woznow moved the alternate option in the staff report, for the three micro-units and three one-bedroom units to be allocated as affordable units for a 15-year period. The draft bylaw would be forwarded to the February 1 city council meeting for the first three readings.
Councillor George Doubt said affordable housing is required in the city. He said if people are looking for something that rents for around $2,000 that is livable, they are going to have a hard time.
“We have a developer that is already building 141 units in one building, and they are willing to build another that is affordable, and they are offering to have some units below market rents,” said Doubt. “I’m not willing to risk the affordable units that are there in this agreement in the hope we can get something better.”
The motion passed unanimously.
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