(The following is addressed to North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and council)
I applaud council for prudently taking its time considering Amisto Developments’ proposal to build a co-housing project on the former Chemainus Elementary School site.
I like the idea of housing in walkable communities, but Aristo’s proposed mix of townhouses and four-plex units left me wondering how affordable these homes will be for average folks.
North Cowichan is in dire need of truly affordable housing for families, working folks and seniors on municipal land, not more housing for the upscale market.
Council and staff are now tasked with finding those cogently affordable housing models – and the developers – fitting pedestrian, green concepts in our smart-growth official community plan.
Our fresh council will indeed face many housing proposals during its next four years. Under permit streamlining promised during the election, councillors are expected to approve or reject building proposals within a fair timeframe so as not to waste developers’ time, money and effort.
I also favour Cowichan developers and tradespeople versus firms located outside our valley.
It remains to be seen if Nanaimo-based Amisto’s plan is the affordably right one for our special site.
Yours in smart growth and development,
Peter W. Rusland,
North Cowichan