Summerside suggests changes to official plan, no 4-unit apartments in some areas

The City of Summerside is planning to amend its official plan to allow up to four residential units on all lots as part of an agreement with the federal government, but it still wants some limits.

Federal money provided through the Housing Accelerator Fund — $5.8 million for Summerside — requires the change as part of a plan to increase housing density in Canada's cities. But Summerside Mayor Dan Kutcher said it was not clear exactly what that meant.

"The first agreement with the federal government… it simply said four units as-of-right. And that was it," said Kutcher.

"As we went through this process and heard some of the concerns from residents, we were able to go back to our federal counterparts and say, 'Look, when we started this, we were trying to figure out how can we make this work? So is it duplexes with a garden suite and accessory unit that gives us four, or is it townhouses?' And so we've been working with them. And so we were able to remove the apartment piece from both R1 and R2 [zones]."

At a council meeting Monday night, councillors were presented with proposed amendments to Summerside's official plan that would allow for four-unit townhouses or row housing but not permit four-unit apartments in R1 zones (single-family home) and R2 (low-density, mixed residential). Typically, townhouses are defined as residences that share walls, but have their own separate entrance.

'It doesn't matter if it's a townhouse'

Ward 8 Coun. Carrie Adams said she is still hearing concerns from residents regarding where four-unit buildings would be allowed, and in particular about traffic.

"The issue really lies in established subdivisions where there's some existing empty lots," Adams said.

"For example, there was one subdivision, we counted up the lots that were empty … and if you put four units — it doesn't matter if it's a townhouse, row house or apartment — it would be up to maybe 60 extra cars on that road in one subdivision in a day. So it does add up."

Adams was also concerned about other plans to increase population density in the city.

The East-West Housing Corridor will connect Water Street East with Ryan Street in the city's north end, and could include apartment buildings up to 10 storeys high, but changes to that plan were also presented. New buildings abutting a lot with an existing residential building would be limited to four storeys, and there could still be further amendments.

"Where we are now is we're into the final steps in terms of trying to figure out if there are other changes that can be put in place that take into account some of the concerns that we've heard from residents." Kutcher said.

Adams is looking for changes in the area of Water Street East.

"There's residential there, but we currently have it marked out as you can put a 10-storey apartment building in that area," said Adams.

"My suggestion, my request, is that they look at moving that back to District 2, which is further back into the corridor and now currently is just empty fields."

The city is holding an open house Sept. 26 at Credit Union Place about the proposed changes to the official plan and will offer another chance for members of the public to ask questions.

Council is expected to vote on the official plan on Oct. 1.