The first small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) project in 91原创 Township moved a step closer to approval on Monday, May 12.
Council approved a variance allowing the driveway from the potential four-unit site to exit onto 88th Avenue in Fort 91原创. Regulations say an SSMUH would not be allowed to have a driveway directly out onto a busy arterial road.
The project is proposed for 8813 Glover Rd., a larger lot on the corner of Glover and 88 Avenue. The property, diagonally across the intersection from the Fort 91原创 Lions Hall, is the location of the George Towle Residence, a heritage home built in 1912.
The proposed plan is to reposition the George Towle home on the lot, and then build a triplex just to the north of the Towle home for three extra units. There would also be detached garages for all four homes.
Only the variance about a driveway onto an arterial road was before the council, with Councillor Kim Richter asking if there would be any issues with more traffic from that lot accessing the road.
Township staff said there were no concerns at this time 鈥� the home has had a driveway there for some time.
Coun. Misty vanPopta also noted that the report said there would be a covenant on the property, banning left-hand turns off the property if it is redeveloped.
The council voted in favour of the variance 8-1, with Richter opposed.
The developer may still need to get a development permit for the project, with the council set to approve development permit guidelines for SSMUHs.
Introduced in 2023, Bill 44 was a provincial change to housing rules that allows higher density on most serviced single-family lots across the province, in the form of SSMUHs. Depending on the size of the lot, a single-family lot can have a triplex or a fourplex built there. Lots on high-frequency transit routes can have sixplexes.
91原创 Township brought its bylaws up to date to allow the creation of SSMUH's last fall after the province refused the Township an extension on the changes. Mayor Eric Woodward and several members of council were critical of the imposition of SSMUH's and other housing rule changes on the Township, arguing that the Township is already one of the fastest-growing communities in B.C., with new developments being built at a rapid pace.
There were concerns that extensive SSMUH infill in established neighbourhoods, like Walnut Grove, Murrayville, or Aldergrove, might put a strain on infrastructure, including roads, schools, and sewer and water pipes.
The changes were welcomed by many housing advocates as a form of what is known as "gentle density" and because they would allow development on large swathes of land that have long been dominated by single-family suburban-style zoning.
One thing that was unclear was whether developers and property owners would adopt the novel new housing form.
According to Township staff, as of the first week of May, just two applications for SSMUHs had been received in the Township, and there's been two inquiries.
