Sechelt Sustainable Community (SSC) Properties unveiled four ideas for cost-efficient housing on its 170-hectare site during a Dec. 8 event that brought about 75 people interested in the topic to the Sechelt Indian Band Hall.
SSC hosted the event in an effort to share what affordable housing initiatives are now happening on the Coast, to encourage discussion and to highlight innovative building solutions that came to SSC as a result of a request for expressions of interest earlier this year.
“SSC presented four examples of innovative, cost-efficient and highly livable solutions that are already being constructed elsewhere,” said SSC general manager Werner Hofstatter.
The examples included independent micro-studios and apartments/condos from one to three bedrooms.
“Based on these examples, target pricing would be about $95,000 for cleverly designed micro-studios, $130,000 for one-bedroom apartment/condos and from $240,000 to $325,000 for two-bedroom and three-bedroom options,” Hofstatter said.
Attendees at the event seemed to like the ideas and were “impressed by the liveability, efficient use of space and, of course, the lower prices,” Hofstatter noted.
While the housing examples were warmly received, some in attendance had their own ideas to create cost-efficient housing on the SSC site, north of Porpoise Bay Provincial Park.
“A couple of people in the audience indicated that they thought they could deliver even lower cost designs, but we need to get back to them to find out the specific details of what they are proposing,” Hofstatter said.
SSC plans to build an array of cost-efficient housing on its 170-hectare property, once approvals to build are in place from the District of Sechelt.
“There is sufficient demand and space on our site to use several of the designs. For example, the AYO Smart Home will be perfect for our Foxwood, our small footprint housing area, or as independent living cottages for seniors,” Hofstatter said.
“The Horizon North and Metro-Can designs will be usable for townhouse or row-houses in Foxwood, or stacked into multi-unit residential buildings in Ocean Walk Quay, along with the K-West structures.”
To see a full layout of the proposed site plan, go to www.sscproperties.com.
Hofstatter said SSC was pleased with the turnout at its event and the enthusiasm shown for the cost-efficient housing designs pitched.
Now the company is eager to get building.
“We asked for and received tangible, proven, cost-efficient and highly-livable residential building designs that can be built quickly, immediately after we receive our zoning approval,” Hofstatter said.
“That is what the community said they want, it is clearly what the community needs, and it is what Sechelt Sustainable Community is eager to deliver as our first priority.”
Currently SSC Properties is awaiting a District of Sechelt staff report to come to council for first reading of the zoning amendment needed for the property to be developed, and referral to a public hearing.
