LAURIE WEIR
The Town of Perth heard a proposal during its committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 14 to develop six net-zero townhomes at the intersection of Arthur and Cockburn streets, as part of the Perth Works neighbourhood.
Designed with sustainability and affordability in mind, the project aims to provide environmentally friendly housing options for retired seniors transitioning from rural areas to town. The idea was floated by EkoBuilt’s Jaison Dolvane.
Key features of the proposed development include:
- Net Zero Design: Homes powered by renewable energy, with energy savings of up to 90 per cent for heating and cooling. It’s all passive home construction.
- Enhanced Indoor Air Quality: Prioritizing health and comfort for residents.
- Resilient, Sustainable Building Materials: Aiming to reduce long-term maintenance and environmental impact.
The project also incorporates a flexible layout, offering an optional additional unit for increased affordability.
With a focus on creating safe and accessible housing, the townhomes are intended to serve retired seniors seeking closer proximity to amenities and improved safety, Dolvane noted. The development aligns with Perth’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive community, providing much-needed housing solutions without sacrificing environmental integrity.
Three potential approaches were presented for severing lots and addressing shared infrastructure:
1. Consent to sever with Joint Use and Maintenance Agreement (JUMA): This affordable option ensures freehold ownership while using a legal framework to manage shared maintenance. However, it requires council confidence in JUMA’s accountability measures.
2. Plan of subdivision or common elements condominium: Offers a more robust legal structure but significantly increases unit costs by $40,000 to $70,000 and involves a longer approval process.
3. Individual Services from Cockburn Street: Avoids shared maintenance but is the most expensive option, with an initial cost of $400,000 for service connections.
The preferred approach is the JUMA model, Dolvane noted, which minimizes cost increases while addressing maintenance concerns through covenants and durable infrastructure like HDPE pipes.
The proposal requires minor variances to meet bylaw standards, including slight adjustments to lot frontage, lot area, and lot coverage. These changes are necessary to accommodate the townhomes while maintaining compliance with municipal regulations.
The project promises significant benefits, including affordable, energy-efficient housing for seniors and families and alignment with Perth’s sustainability goals. To move forward, council support is required for: approving the consent to sever with JUMA approach; allowing minor variances instead of a full zoning bylaw amendment; and, proceeding with the building permit application.
Coun. Jim Boldt asked about the price of the units — about $650,000 per condo, with an option to have a rental unit as part of it.
Coun. Isabel Anne McRae was concerned with the limited parking and traffic flow in light of another affordable housing unit coming to that area. “That’s going to be a lot for the neighbourhood to deal with,” she said.
Dolvane said the parking would be included for each unit, and garages would also be part of the equation.
Mayor Judy Brown said she was in favour of the proposal, “in general, because we certainly need more housing.”
Perth council received the report as information.
