A proposal for developing affordable housing has been put over until the next Chatham-Kent council meeting.
Following heated debate at Monday’s meeting, the recommendation presented by Shelley Wilkins, the director of housing services, was postponed until the meeting on November 19. The largest concern from council members was the current zoning of one of the locations for a suggested build.
A zoning bylaw change is required in order to build an affordable housing apartment building at 18 Dolsen Ave. in Chatham. Wilkins was asking council to endorse the build in order to pursue funding from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Some council members were hesitant to endorse before the zoning report was in front of them.
“We feel obligated to go ahead,” said Councillor Michael Bondy, as his reason for not endorsing the proposal. “Then we’re pressed with the idea if we don’t take the money someone else will get it.”
Councillor Byron Fluker supported endorsing the project, not wanting to potentially lose the funding from the government of Ontario.
“I see the emails, I get the phone calls,” said Fluker in response to some council members’ bringing forward concerns from their constituents. “Seniors living alone aren’t going to decrease their property values.”
Bondy denied that was the concern of his constituents.
“There is strong opposition, not to seniors with no income, but an apartment building in the middle of a single family dwelling neighbourhood,” said Bondy.
Wilkins expressed worry that deferring the proposal to the next meeting might mean the loss of funding from the government. The ministry does not allow municipalities to hold funds into another fiscal year.
“I don’t have any other projects,” said Wilkins. “The plan submitted to the ministry was to use that $1.8-million in 2018-2019. To do that we have to have a contribution plan before the end of the year.”
The ministry requires municipal support before approving funding.
“It’s a classic example of putting the cart before the horse,” said Bondy.
The motion to postpone passed with a 12-5 vote.
