Alistair Findlay is in favour of building an affordable-housing project in North Cowichan.
Findlay, who attended a public information meeting on Jan. 25 hosted by the Municipality of North Cowichan on a project planned for 3191 Sherman Rd., said he’s aware that affordable-housing units are in high demand in the community at a time of low vacancy rates.
“But I do have a concern with the proposed location for this project and the increase in traffic, including the parking problems, in my neighbourhood that it would bring,” he said.
“There’s another housing project with 52 units being planned for this area, and traffic is already a problem around here. I find it difficult to turn off of Sherman Road now and I expect these problems will only get worse with these housing projects.”
Increased traffic and parking issues topped the concerns raised by many in attendance at the meeting.
Approximately 64 affordable housing units are planned for Sherman Road, with 12 of the units to be designated as supportive transitional housing for the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society.
The project is one of two affordable-housing projects North Cowichan is now considering in partnership with the Land Trust Foundation.
The other is planned for 9800 Willow St. in Chemainus and includes the construction of a mixed-use building with commercial units and community space on the first floor, and approximately 18 units of affordable housing for seniors in its upper floors.
A separate public information meeting for that project was held on Jan. 26.
John Blore, another neighbour to the proposed project on Sherman Road, also said he recognizes the need for more affordable housing in the community and he has few issues with the project.
But, like Findlay, he’s concerned about the increase in traffic in an area that is already busy.
“It’s lousy now and it’s already challenging to get on Sherman Road, especially when the local schools let out,” he said.
Joyce Behnsen, a councillor in North Cowichan who has already expressed concerns about the proposed location of the project, said placing a large housing project in the neighbourhood would negatively impact the nearby Glen Harper Curling Centre.
“The project and the parking and traffic issues that would result would not be welcoming for this recreational facility, which is an important part of North Cowichan’s economy,” she said at the meeting.
“The feedback I’m getting is that many people also think this project would lead to densities that are too high for the neighbourhood. People support affordable housing, but not here.”
Scott Mack, North Cowichan’s director of development services, said the object of the information meeting was to listen to people’s concerns and ideas and consider incorporating some of them into the project.
He said the project is still early in the municipality’s rezoning process, and all ideas, concerns and options brought forth from the public will be given due diligence.
In fact, municipal staff at the meeting were already presenting new parking options to try and address some of the concerns.
“There’s no doubt that the biggest issue raised so far is around parking and traffic in the neighbourhood,” he said.
“But that’s a peripheral matter and most haven’t raised issues with the project itself. I think most people understand there is a need for this type of housing in North Cowichan.”