City of Powell River planning staff members have recommended publishing a request for expressions of interest for delivery of mixed-tenant, mixed-income rental housing at 7104 Barnet Street.
The recommendation was brought forward at the December 13 committee of the whole meeting by city manager of planning services Daniella Fergusson.
The property, adjacent to the Powell River RCMP detachment, had once been considered as a location for a new fire hall. Under the proposal, it would be leased from the city.
Fergusson said a regional housing needs assessment was published in 2021. She said the assessment recommended this property be considered for development of affordable housing, which is housing geared to income.
“A council resolution directed staff to explore the potential for housing on this site and to report back on that,” said Fergusson. “Earlier this year, staff shared with council the feasibility study for this property.
“The study looked at two different scenarios in terms of building layouts. It also looked at two scenarios for building funding.”
Fergusson said for building layout, the feasibility study looked at a 60-unit building. There was a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, and it could be either a three-storey or five-storey building.
“A five-storey building would likely be more cost efficient, but a three-storey building maybe fits in with the neighbourhood a bit better,” said Fergusson. “There were pros and cons with either and this was just something for staff to consider and say a building here could be feasible.”
Fergusson said the study also looked at federal and provincial funding sources. They have different requirements in terms of affordability targets and different funding requirements for accessibility, she added.
“Our feasibility study recommended that the city consider BC Housing programs because the numbers pencilled out better, and the level of affordability that could be achieved was far superior,” said Fergusson.
She said Life Cycle Housing Society has already submitted a letter to council indicating interest in working with the city to develop housing on this property.
“For the principle of transparency and fairness, staff are happy that Life Cycle submitted that letter, but there might be other nonprofit housing developers interested,” said Fergusson. “Staff’s recommendation is that a request for expressions of interest be published, and then other organizations could submit letters to say they are interested in this opportunity.”
Fergusson said a building such as the one being proposed could make a big dent in the city’s affordable housing targets.
Unanswered questions
Councillor and committee chair George Doubt said he is excited about the idea of using that property for affordable rental housing, and about the prospect of a housing authority, so the city could retain ownership and manage the operation and the building of facilities, such as the one being proposed for Barnet Street.
“Where I have a problem is where I read the recommendation about expressions of interest for the delivery of mixed-tenant, mixed-income rental housing to be leased from the city,” said Doubt. “Does that mean design, build and operate, or design and build; operate for one year or operate for 30 years? Who controls the building, who leases it to who? There are a lot of questions that aren’t answered and I would hesitate to blanket the real estate industry in BC with an opportunity for people to express interest in delivering that housing.
“The motion doesn’t even mention affordable housing. I really like the idea but it needs more time in the oven to get to the right package. I’m concerned that it is premature.”
The committee unanimously passed the recommendation to publish a request for expressions of interest for delivery of mixed-tenant, mixed-income rental housing at 7104 Barnet Street.
