Greater Sudbury's planning committee approved a major social housing development Monday night, a project that will add 60 units to the city's geared-to-income supply.
They also approved a private, 30-unit development in the Cambrian Heights area, in an area zoned for residential and light industrial uses.*
That mix was a concern to Ward 8 Coun. Al Sizer, who wondered whether the residents would have to put up with excessive noise.
“The issue of noise comes up” when you have businesses and residential units so close together.
“I would assume this type of industrial setting would be subject to our noise bylaws?” Sizer asked.
“That's correct,” said planner Mauro Manzon. “Our noise bylaw would apply.”
In this type of industrial zoning, no outdoor storage is allowed, Manzon said, which lessens chance of issues with noise.
“It's business activity that mainly takes place indoors,” he said. “And the proposal contributes to our residential intensification targets.”
Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan, who is a member of the Sudbury Housing Corp.'s board of directors, said the demand for social housing exceeds supply.
“This will fill a need we know we have in the city for affordable housing,” Kirwan said. “It's very exciting.”
The second project approved Monday was a 60-unit, eight-story development on Bruce Street, which would be built next to the Balmoral Apartments, a 17-storey 250-unit building, one of the city's tallest.
The main issue with the approval was the density, which, at 260, exceeds city guidelines for 150 units per hectare.
The staff report examined other developments that also exceed the density guidelines, including St. Andrew's Place downtown, which is 677, and the Balmoral, which is 321.
Those places function well, he said, because of a number of factors: proximity to services and public transit, central location and proximity to parks and recreation facilities.
“The proposed density is quite similar to other non-profits in the downtown area,” Manzon said. “We feel it's appropriate ... This proposal addresses an important housing need in the community.”
The demand for parking spaces is limited by the fact so many of the units are for seniors. Only 24 per cent of seniors on the waiting list say they need a spot. And there hasn't been concern from the neighbourhood, he said.
“Only two phones have been received seeking information,” Manzon said. “And no written submissions.”
Kirwan said it was a positive day for those waiting for social housing.
“This is such a good news story,” Kirwan said.
*An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified both projects as social housing. Sudbury.com apologizes for the error.
