Huron County council approved an official plan amendment for a property on Suncoast Drive in Goderich from "highway commercial" to "residential" to allow the construction of six-storey apartment building.
The property is across the road from McGee Motors and adjacent to Art's Landscaping. Goderich Mayor Myles Murdock said there were some concerns from neighbours in the immediate area. But he says generally the community recognizes the need for housing and supports the project.
“I have a number of business owners who have spoken to me about having housing for their workers that is affordable or attainable and we have to free up some housing inventory and this particular development of 81 units frees up some homes, ” Murdock said.
Murdock says the apartments will attract older people who are looking to down size and want nice, new apartments that are close to all of the amenities. Murdock says everything is in place now to start construction except skilled trades people. He is hoping to have something in place within the next year.
“Then we start seeing a little less pressure on housing because the inventory goes up a little bit," he explained. "You're looking at people who already have a house and they're down sizing this is a good opportunity for that to start happening and then the house that they leave opens it up for young families.”
Murdock says the hope is that they can attract young families who can fill some of the jobs that are currently vacant.