Ben Jardine of the Muskoka Community Land Trust (MCLT) was before Huntsville’s General Committee on January 31, with a progress update regarding the micro-community housing development being proposed on Florence Street West on municipal lands.
Jardine told councillors improvements have been made to the plan as a result of community engagement with municipal staff, varying levels of government, local service groups as well as community businesses.
“Most notably we’ve moved away from a focus on resale model to primarily rental units, sustainably affordable forever. With the changes and improvements that we’ve made, we have the potential to increase density by up to 60 per cent,” said Jardine, adding that the financial viability of the project, both from a capital and operating perspective, “is tremendous. So much so that CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) has assigned us a special advisor.”
The plan calls for 179 housing units consisting of three, three-storey apartment buildings in the southwest corner of the 7.3-acre property. The buildings would contain 12 units each made up of one and two-bedroom apartments. To the north of the buildings, nine single-family bungalows are being proposed. On the northeast side of the property, three six-plex cooperative buildings are planned and to the southeast, 11 stacked townhouse-style buildings are planned containing four units each, also made up of one and two-bedroom apartments.
He said the new design resues the existing road on the property, Abraham Road. The red rectangle on an angle represents the Town’s existing public works tower. “Different from the last plan, we’re designing around it. This tower we know is needing to stay and so instead of treating it as a compromise or a concession, we’re simply working around it and using it… and tying our community amenities around it,” explained Jardine.
He said wherever possible, buildings have been placed to match the topography of the land and attempts have been made to remove the least number of trees possible and keeping the neighbours in mind.
“Our goal here is to really make an inclusive micro community where everyone is welcome and everyone has access to all the amenities and so what better way to do that than the accessible landscape pathways that connect the entire property to itself,” he said, adding that the goal is that anyone of the residents can leave their home and go for a 30 or 45-minute walk on the property.
He said the plan is to develop in phases and work with municipal staff to go through the design and planning stages with a goal of beginning site development and building works in late 2024/ early 2025, if everything goes according to plan. He also said there may be some three-bedroom units.
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Susan Godfrey says
This is very good news and I wish this project every success! Hoping this will set a great example for future affordable units.
Kathryn Henderson says
Im so glad we are getting affordable housing. Ive been waiting a long time to hear this. Good job
Wendy J Brown says
Is this up where the reservoir and towers are? If it is i hate the idea.
Betsy Rothwell says
I agree we need affordable housing very much, however I understand the most successful communities are mixed residential. This proposal appears to be entirely affordable rental housing and could be very isolating rather than inclusive. It is good there is a special CMHC advisor on the project.
Chas Clark says
Whilst a worthy project, I seem to remember from their initial proposal that they only had approximately $300’000.00 in funding available. Where is the rest of the finance coming from and is 2024 even a realistic start date?
Sandi Martin says
@Susan Godfrey and @Kathryn Henderson: We’re glad to hear it!
@Wendy J Brown: Why do you hate it?
@Betsy Rothwell: We absolutely agree that inclusive, mixed residential communities are the way to go. The Florence Street Micro-Community is designed to be mixed income, with a blend of market and below market rents.
Jonathan Wiebe says
We are definitely rooting for this project. Best of luck!
Sandi Martin says
@Jonathan Wiebe Thank you! You made our day.
@Chas Clark Our funding is coming from a variety of sources, including CMHC and donations. Happy to chat more about it with you if you’re interested!
Chas Clark says
Thank you Sandy, I would appreciate it if you could tell me the overall cost of the project, how much you have now and if you can start building in 2024 as is your aim.
Sandi Martin says
@Chas Clark Absolutely. The first phase will cost approximately $20M to develop the land, put in the servicing infrastructure, and build two 36-unit multi-residential buildings. We’re hoping to start construction by the fall of this year and are working to fund the remining $6.5MM of pre-development costs. If the timing goes well, we hope to be ready for first phase occupancy within 26 months.
Chas Clark says
That’s great news Sandy that you have raised $13.5 M with only $6.5M to find. Congratulations on a worthwhile project.