Originally expected to open last summer, it appears a 38-unit affordable housing complex in the shadow of Sudbury’s landmark water tower is finally moving forward.
A rezoning and land severance application to accommodate the 38-unit affordable housing complex to the immediate east of the water tower was unanimously approved by the planning committee of city council on Jan. 29.
Project lead Tim Laderoute attended the meeting. He declined comment with Sudbury.com afterward, but pledged to share updates on the project as soon as he has more to share.
Grading is currently taking place on site, just east of the Sudbury water tower, which owner Dario Zulich re-named the Sudbury Peace Tower in memory of local pastor Jeremy Mahood.
The five-storey residential building will consist of one-bedroom units marked below market rent, and the project will be undertaken by the not-for-profit Sudbury Peace Tower Housing Inc. on land Zulich has donated.
At the latest update in June 2022, it was noted Toronto-based contractor Element5 will be enlisted to undertake the prefabricated timber build.
The main floor is being planned to accommodate service providers, such as a potential daycare, to help ensure the residents “remain successful,” Laderoute said at the time. An elevator on the main floor, at the same level as a bus stop, will be planned to assist those residents unable to traverse the hill to the upper floors and parking lot to their units. The building will be constructed into the hill’s slope.
Although the project shares a similar goal as the transitional supportive housing complex under construction on Lorraine Street, the affordable housing complex on Pearl Street is intended to be used as permanent affordable housing.
“This building could house individuals who are successfully transitioning from the Managed Alcohol Program at 200 Larch St. and the transitional supportive housing project being built on Lorraine St.” a city spokesperson noted in email correspondence to Sudbury.com in 2022.
No objections have been submitted to the city regarding the proposed housing development.
During the Jan. 29 meeting, the development’s proponent clarified that nothing is being planned for the water tower at this time, and that the application was solely for the housing project to its east.
Area resident Anthony Yule told the planning committee that he didn’t object to the development, but that something needs to be done with the rusting water tower.
Zulich still owns the water tower, which was built in the 1950s and decommissioned by the city in 1998.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
