The city will hold a public hearing via Zoom on July 19 to hear input on a proposed zoning and development bylaw amendment to facilitate attainable ownership under the Affordable Home Ownership Program (AHOP).
The amendment, if carried, will change the zoning at 243 Corfield Street south from medium density residential to comprehensive development. AHOP is an initiative by BC Housing that aims to increase the supply and range of affordable home ownership options and support the transition to home ownership.
The application to facilitate townhouse units from Nigel Gray of MacDonald Gray Consultants on behalf of the property owner, Three Dog Ventures, was read by council at meetings in April and June of this year.
The city said anyone who wishes to speak at the public hearing must register in advance by calling its corporate officer or deputy corporate officer, or email administration@parksville.ca. The hearing will be streamed live at 3 p.m. on the city’s Youtube channel.
Parksville’s affordable housing is based on moderate income that is 80 per cent of the median household in the city whose annual cost of housing does not exceed 30 per cent of gross income, according to the city. Based on 2020 income levels, the estimated maximum initial rent under the city’s criteria would be $1,226.66 per month.
The property is located within the transitional residential designation in Plan Parksville: A Vision for Our Future, Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2013, No. 1492. Properties within the transitional lands designation are intended to function as a medium density neighbourhood that provides a buffer between lower density single unit residential lands and higher densities and mixed use developments. A variety of housing forms are supported in this designation, including small single lot residential uses, duplexes, triplexes, ground oriented townhomes, patio homes and row-housing.
