Green MLA calls for Planning Act changes to increase housing density with backyard apartments
A Inexperienced MLA says the province ought to look into enabling Islanders to construct sure varieties of properties with out having to alter zoning bylaws.
Hannah Bell mentioned within the legislature Friday the province ought to take into account amending the Planning Act to permit some multi-unit developments to go forward with out further permissions from municipalities.
“Different provinces are their planning laws to make sure sure developments like duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses may be pursued as-of-right,” Bell mentioned, which suggests with out the necessity for additional permits.
“This is able to make it simpler for property homeowners and builders to extend density in residential areas and cut back the timeframe, which is commonly a problem. Is the province planning on making any comparable modifications to the Planning Act?”
Bell steered permitting property homeowners with giant backyards to construct small residences, which may then be put up for hire as a approach to make use of the land extra effectively.
Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson mentioned the province is already wanting into making backyard suites obtainable as a part of its deliberate modifications to the Planning Act.
“We have now to take an affordable and accountable method at this, Mr. Speaker, as a result of [we need to] ensure it is performed proper,” he mentioned. “We’ll work with different departments to ensure that we will tackle all these points as quickly as potential.”
Thompson mentioned any state of affairs the place extra multi-unit developments are constructed is good, and that the province is taking a “deep dive” into the difficulty of affordability.
However Bell mentioned the province is taking too lengthy to take any motion, and that it is “failed” to offer municipalities with instruments resembling inclusionary zoning, which might permit them to set affordability and accessibility targets for brand spanking new building.
“Time is of the essence right here. We have to be doing this yesterday,” she mentioned.
