By Susan Stroud, Citizen Journalist

A recent development proposal for 9395 Canora Road in North Saanich has again got people talking about the wheres and whys of housing affordability. The proposal by former Member of Parliament Gary Lunn, landowner James White and Country Cottage West Properties would see thirty-nine single detached homes with suites built at the juncture of Canora and East Saanich Roads. An earlier suggestion for laneways and carriage houses was proposed as a modification to the original plan, but was turned down at Council on Monday July 16 where a motion to stick with standard front driveways was passed.

“This is intended to be a small lot subdivision like those you see in the Westshore which have been so successful,” says Lunn. “They would be 3 bedrooms, two and half bathrooms and most would have single car garages; lots would be 300 to 400 square metres except for those on the cul-de-sac which might be as large as 500 square metres,” he added.  “The whole object is to keep the price down around the $399 – $400,000 mark to attract young families.”

Lunn explains that there are 2,500 – 4,000 employees working in the airport area and that roughly 80% of them commute from the Westshore. Lunn says, “The problem is the process can be quite lengthy and it could be a year before there is equipment on the ground. Some of the businesses are saying they may have to leave because housing for the workforce is more important than the buildings available on the airport lands.”

None of this has missed the attention of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce which on March 27th posted on its blog that, “What your chamber is seeking is a planned addition to the housing stock at the entry level, in areas that do not negatively impact existing neighbourhoods: scrub land; land near transportation hubs; land not suitable for the typical North Saanich single family detached home but land that is ideal for those people essential to the balanced, protected growth of our community”

Even the North Saanich Housing Affordability Study of 2007 makes a case for more affordable housing and states that, “Many people who have jobs that are based in North Saanich are unable to afford to live here due to the high cost of home ownership and the relative lack of rental housing.”

It seems everyone agrees that affordable housing is needed. But there are some differences over important details it turns out. “Affordable, senior, young family, workforce: by any name, housing that fits one or more of these descriptors is a desirable goal for our communities” said North Saanich Councillor Elsie McMurphy. “The provision of affordable accommodation requires a combination of three factors: the community to agree to high(er) density zoning, the financial and administrative contributions of various levels of government or community agencies, and the commitment of a developer to participate in such a partnership.” But McMurphy warns that good intentions are not enough.   

“Without some specific dedication to keeping units low-cost and available to particular target groups who are in need of such housing, then the market rules, and the houses will sell to whomever pays the highest price,” says McMurphy.

Mayor Finall has concerns about a proposal that keeps changing form without enough opportunity for proper examination by staff or council. “The project is being fast-tracked by Council at the expense of other work, it has been made the highest priority…” says Finall.

The debate continues about both the process and the need for affordable housing with all perspectives being encouraged to take part. Have your say by writing a comment to this article and consider examining the views on both sides of this issue.

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