91大黄鸭 council had much to say about micro suites at their Sep. 25 meeting.
They considered a form and character development application for a 240-unit apartment building planned for 1280 Sutherland Avenue.
Council was concerned about the number of micro suites (147), and the potential for them to be used as short-term rentals as the units will be for sale.
Coun. Charlie Hodge said he had asked months ago for reports on micro suites and short-term rentals and he still hasn鈥檛 seen them.
鈥淢y concern has been and remains that we鈥檙e doing an overkill. 鈥淚鈥檓 worried that we鈥檙e building, down the road, potential ghetto sites. That we鈥檙e going to create buildings that never get filled.鈥�
Mayor Tom Dyas asked the staff if the developer considered fewer micros and more larger units.
鈥淭he developer did confirm that they鈥檝e identified the opportunity and the marketplace will absorb these units,鈥� said Dean Strachan, community planning and development manager.
The project also includes bachelor, one, two, and three-bedroom suites.
Coun. Rick Webber asked if existing micro suites in the city were being used as short-term rentals or if owners were actually living in them.
鈥淲e do have some statistical information around how short-term rentals are being used in the community that will come forward in the report to council in about a month,鈥� Strachan added.
Coun. Loyal Wooldridge pointed out that there were a lot of positives to the development, including its large indoor and outdoor amenity spaces.
鈥淚 understand council鈥檚 apprehension with micro suites, but I think they鈥檝e gone above and beyond in terms of giving people liveable space outside of the units.鈥�
Coun. Luke Stack had mixed views about the project.
鈥淚 agree that the amenities are very beneficial鈥ut I do remain concerned that about 60 per cent of these units are micro suites.鈥�
He was also opposed to the units potentially becoming short-term rentals.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a part of my gut that makes me think that buyers who are lining up to buy these have every intention of using them for short-term rentals.鈥�
Coun. Mohini Singh added there is a place for microsuites in the city.
鈥淏ut I think we may have reached the zenith of the top of how much is allowable and supportable in 91大黄鸭.鈥�
Mayor Dyas reminded council that the application before them pertained to the form and character of the development.
鈥淚f there are concerns with regards to that, that鈥檚 one thing, if not we鈥檒l just be looking at advancing accordingly more so than the other issue.鈥�
Council did support moving the development forward, with Coun. Ron Cannan opposed.
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