An upcoming virtual meeting will see the City of Elliot Lake discuss proposed changes to the city's official plan and a zoning bylaw amendment.
The meeting is scheduled for July 12 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom, according to a notice from city clerk Natalie Bray
At a time of a well-acknowledged housing shortage in Elliot Lake, the meeting concerns getting more ways to provide residential units in the city.
"Any person interested may, by way of signed, written submission, indicate as to whether they are in favour of or against the proposed Amendments," Bray's notice said.
"Such submission shall be accepted by the City Clerk prior to the Hearing."
Anyone interested in attending the meeting or providing comments can contact the Clerk's Department by phone (705-848-2287, ext. 2103) or by email.
The meeting will look at the proposed amendments to the Official Plan and a zoning bylaw by removing references to ‘secondary units’ and replace them with ‘additional residential units’ that complies with recent changes to the Ontario Planning Act.
Those changes will give Elliot Lake authority to allow for more residential units in all single detached, semi-detached, and rowhouse housing units and in an ancillary structure, on private property, as well. The amendments apply throughout the City.
They're needed to meet new provincial standards for additional residential units.
The Planning Act was recently amended as a result of Ontario Bill 108 - More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019. It gives Ontario municipalities another tool to use in developing housing options, with an emphasis on affordability.
In a report to Council, representatives of J.L. Richards Associates consulting firm wrote that the additional units are important, "Because they: (1) provide homeowners with alternative means of earning additional income to help meet the costs of home ownership; (2) support changes in demographics through housing options for immediate and extended families; and (3) maximize densities to support and enhance local businesses and labour markets, and efficiently use existing infrastructure."