Councillor Ravencroft advised that the City has received an application from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing to rezone land at 20 Janeway Place from the Open Space (O) Zone to the Apartment 1 (A1) Zone to accommodate an Apartment Building development of 4, two-storey Apartment Buildings on the 12,445 square metre lot. Each Apartment Building will contain 8 dwelling units for a total of 32 dwelling units on the site.
This is a Rapid Housing Initiative - National Housing Strategy project funded by the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CHMC). The RHI provides funding for the rapid construction of affordable housing. Apartment Building is a Permitted Use in the A1 Zone. A Municipal Plan amendment is required, but a St. John’s Urban Region Regional Plan amendment is not needed, as the property is designated regionally as Urban Development. Details on the proposed development and analysis are contained in the attached amendments.
Councillor Ravencroft noted the public feedback received and the consideration that Council must take for this application. She added her strong support of this type of housing as the need is too significant to not support this type of initiative.
Minister John Abbott and his Department were recognized for this initiative and it is hoped that this is just a small step coming from the Province for more quality affordable housing in the City.
It was also noted that this application will provide 32 units, which will be fully accessible and built with universal design standards. Partnerships with the federal and provincial governments and community groups is key to seeing more affordable housing. The City needs more projects like this so people can find safe and economically sufficient properties in which to live.