Even though the public hearing took place on one of the first warm evenings of the summer, about a dozen people came to Millennium Place on Tuesday (July 6) to weigh in on the long-standing issue of infill housing in Whistler.
Three people made submissions to council against the proposal for a pilot project in the Alpine South neighbourhood, which could see increased density in the form of lot splits, duplexes and additional suites outside a main home. Four letters were also received opposing the infill housing proposal. One letter was in favour of the idea, and three more letters included general comments.
It’s expected that council will debate and vote on third reading of the infill housing bylaws at its July 20 meeting.
Infill housing is the concept of adding housing units into existing neighbourhoods, increasing density instead of developing new areas. The idea of infill housing to help meet Whistler’s employee housing needs has been under development and discussion since about 2004.
Extensive public consultation has taken place over the years, including at least two open houses. Alpine South was identified as a possible area for a pilot project on infill housing because it seems to provide many opportunities to develop on existing lots without exceeding maximum gross floor areas, said Guy Patterson, the municipality’s lead on the infill housing project.
But several people questioned the need for more employee housing in the post-2010 Games Whistler.
“All of a sudden we have a huge amount of rental space,” said Bob Calladine, who used to live in Alpine North. “I actually think it’s (infill housing) premature at best.”
Calladine also said with many existing suites in Alpine, adding infill could “probably overfill” the neighbourhood. He asked council to hold off on the proposal until it’s determined if more employee housing is needed.
Alpine resident David Cathers said the current density of the neighbourhood is “more than adequate.” He told council that allowing infill housing will “alter our neighbourhood forever.”
“No doubt real estate prices would go down as well,” Cathers said.
One property owner in the Bayshores neighbourhood, however, said despite the current oversupply of rental units he sees a future demand in Whistler.
“Looking forward I think infill is a great idea,” said Patrick Su. “I think the Bayshores area would be more than open to infill housing.”
Another submission was made by James Stuart of the Nanaimo-based company Twelve Cubed Homes. The company makes “micro-homes” that are 12 feet by 12 feet by 12 feet, he said.
Stuart said he’s had many requests from Whistler residents for the Twelve Cubed product and he thinks the compact homes could be a solution for infill.
Patterson the goals of the infill housing initiative include increasing the availability and diversity of resident housing, increasing market housing affordability and promoting social vitality. He also said the municipality doesn’t “want to be blind” to the perceived negatives such as the impact on neighbourhood character, increased traffic, servicing constraints and the possible impact on adjacent property values.
Patterson also acknowledged concerns about uptake for the pilot project, considering the amount of new resident housing that’s recently been added in Whistler.
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