Souls Harbour Site - West Chezzetcook
Project Background
On October 5, 2021 Regional Council initiated the process to consider an amendment to the Regional Plan for the development of a 12 unit dwelling and supportive housing use for a property in West Chezzetcook. The project is to be developed by the Souls Harbour and is one of three projects that the municipality has chosen to fund through the second round of the federal Rapid Housing Initiative – Cities Stream for the development of affordable housing.
Souls Harbour is proposing the development of a 3 storey – 12-unit residential building that will be focused on housing for women and women with children. The specific address of the site in question is not being stated as it is anticipated some residents may require privacy or a certain level of anonymity. This development will complement an existing shared housing use, that provides supportive housing for 7 women/women with children located on the site. While the property is located in a rural setting, there is access to transit, parkland and is close to a public school and amenities. The property will also include a garden area for residents and Souls Harbour will coordinate social events such as movie and craft nights.
The property is located along Highway 207 in West Chezzetcook and is zoned Rural Enterprise in the Land Use By-law for Planning Districts 8 and 9. While the current zoning permits the development of a multiple-unit dwelling, based on the lot area for the subject property only 8 units are permitted on the lot. As such, an amendment to the municipal planning documents is required to permit the proposed development of 12 units in addition to the existing shared housing use.
While the proposed amendment to the planning documents is specific in relation to the site, the proposed development has significant regional impacts as it is intended to provide deeply affordable housing available throughout the region. Further, the opportunity to access RHI funding is an extremely unique opportunity to meet Council’s strategic priority to support affordable housing. As such this amendment is viewed as regional in nature.
Please note: this survey will close on October 20, 2021.