The proposed four-to-six storey, rental apartment building for KinVillage would definitely address a community need for senior-accessible housing.
Those were some of the sentiments stated by councillors as Delta council gave first and second reading to the proposed project at its July 26th meeting.
A public hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 9.
“I’m just very, very thrilled to see this finally coming into council,” remarked Coun. Dylan Kruger. “I think it’s an outstanding project, a much-needed project for senior housing.”
And as future heatwaves loom in the future, council members emphasized how these apartments – should the project go through – must be built to accommodate comfortable living during the rising summer temperatures.
“I think we should be building for the future … I think we really have to be looking for spaces for the seniors of tomorrow, and what they’re going to be facing in these rooms,” added Coun. Lois Jackson.
She asked staff whether air conditioning and openable windows were planned for the 152 units.
As staff did not have an answer to Jackson’s questions, Mayor George Harvie asked the applicant to submit a written statement providing these answers to council in advance of the public hearing.
Council and staff also discussed outdoor balconies, and how the proposed common outdoor balconies would be in place of individual balconies off each unit.
The project’s proposed site currently contains KinVillage’s North Court building with 86 seniors’ rental units, and if completed, the residents of the existing building would be relocated to the new one and the old building would be removed.
“There would be three rent classifications for the development: rent-geared-to-income (50 per cent of units), affordable market rentals (30 per cent of units) and deep subsidy rentals (20 per cent of units),” reads the Delta staff report.
The project is being funded through B.C. Housing’s Community Housing Fund, which would provide a one-time capital grant and ongoing operating funds, if needed, for up to 60 years.
