A pair of housing projects in Wallaceburg are on the agenda for the upcoming Municipality of Chatham-Kent Council meeting on Monday, January 16, 2023.
Affordable housing build proposed on Westcourt Boulevard
Municipal officials say the Municipality of Chatham-Kent has successfully applied and received approval for $210,000 of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Seed Funding, which will support the completion of pre-construction activities for a housing development at the Westcourt Boulevard property in Wallaceburg.
“Housing Services suggests developing a 60-70 unit housing development consisting of a combination of both affordable rent and market rent units,” said Ray Harper, director of housing services, in a staff report.
“This development is planned to utilize a portion of the property, while the remaining land is planned to be developed as a municipal park.”
Harper said the report recommends using the seed funding to acquire preliminary architectural design drawings and a cost analysis for the project, through the issuance of an RFP for professional services.
Back in December of 2021, Council directed administration to investigate the encouragement and development of affordable housing in Chatham-Kent.
Harper said one of the approved recommendations was to prepare a feasibility study for development of affordable housing on Municipality owned lands, including Westcourt Boulevard, as as well as Park Avenue East in Chatham and Minnie Street in Wallaceburg.
“As there is demand across all cohorts and limited large scale development opportunities, an intergenerational community development would be ideal for the community of Wallaceburg,” Harper said in his report about the Westcourt project.
“This concept has the advantage of allowing older families and baby boomers to age in place as unit size needs change when children leave and adults move into a senior cohort. This also provides a wide range of social and health benefits through intergenerational interaction and assistance. This development allows Chatham-Kent to develop a project that will be a benefit for all cohorts on the Centralized Waitlist.”
Harper said the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback about the project as well, including input on the proposed Municipal park included in the project.
“The Director, Planning Services, and the Director, Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries have been consulted throughout this project in an effort to realize full value and utilization of this property for the community of Wallaceburg,” Harper said.
“Through this consultation, it was concluded that in addition to a housing development at this property, it is also an ideal location for a new neighbourhood park. This property provides an opportunity to meet multiple community needs, to improve the quality of life for residents of Wallaceburg. A neighbourhood park at this location is capable of including a playground along with other possibilities such as a walking trail, multi-use court, basketball, ball hockey, or volleyball, as ideas.”
Harper added: “A Let’s Talk CK community engagement page has been developed to inform the residents of Wallaceburg of the potential development options of this land, and to seek feedback on the needs of the community for a neighbourhood park at this location. This feedback will assist in the design of the neighbourhood park that fits the needs of the area. Chatham-Kent recognizes the importance of early and meaningful engagement with residents, businesses, and stakeholders in Wallaceburg.”
Read Harper’s full report, here.
Here is a closer look at the conceptual plan for the project:
Zoning by-law amendment recommended for Base Line apartment project
Municipality of Chatham-Kent staff is recommending that Council approve a zoning by-law amendment application to rezone 7030 Base Line, which would permit the development of apartment dwellings on the site.
Council had previously approved an official plan amendment for the project in February last year, in order to incorporate the property into the Wallaceburg Settlement Area for future residential land uses.
“The applicant is pursuing the development of three new five-storey apartment buildings on the lands,” said Ryan Jacques, director of planning, in a staff report.
“Under the proposal, each building will be approximately 1,667 sq. m (17,943 sq. ft.) in area and may contain up to 85 apartment dwellings. It is anticipated that the site plan control process will formally be initiated if the applicant is successful in amending the zoning of the subject property.”
Jacques said by providing up to approximately 255 new rental dwelling units, this project will meet the definition of a Major Rental Housing Development, which is the type of development the Municipality is targeting through its Community Improvement Plan.
“The proposal provides an opportunity to add new apartment dwellings to the local housing supply to address the needs of current and future residents of Wallaceburg specifically and Chatham-Kent as a whole,” Jacques added.
“The proposal conforms to the Housing Policies of the Official Plan” and “the proposal is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement.”
Read Jacques’ full report, here.
More details about the project can be read, here.
Here is a closer look at the conceptual plan for the project:
The January 16, 2023 Council meeting will be held at the Civic Centre in Chatham starting at 6 p.m.
People can live stream the meeting, here.
