Potential parking issues dominated discussions during a public hearing Tuesday (Jan. 21) about a proposed affordable housing project on Houghton Road.
YeYe Housing Society, a non-profit led by former MLA Norm Letnick, first introduced the project in August 2022. The development plans include a 20-unit townhouse complex at 1028 and 1030 Houghton Rd., near Ben Lee Park. It aims to make homeownership more attainable, offering units priced 20-25 per cent below market value for first-time buyers.
While two long-time area residents supported the project, they expressed concerns about parking. They cited issues from a nearby housing project on Fleming Rd.(2019-2020), where street parking overflowed, causing drivers to park on private property.
Letnick noted that a survey of the potential home buyers revealed that many of them would not have a need for a vehicle.
鈥淚t is definitely aimed at entry-level housing, first time homeowners, who have enough expenses that 鈥� in my mind 鈥� will not need two cars,鈥� he explained.
The proposal includes one parking stall per unit, along with visitor and accessible parking. Letnick added that underground parking was considered but would have made the project financially unviable or forced a reduction in the number of units.
Council voted to issue a development variance permit, allowing the project to move forward.
