Lakeshore Takes Action on Housing

Changes to Zoning By-law to be presented at a future meeting

At the special meeting on September 3, 2024, Lakeshore Council took action on housing by committing to passing a Zoning By-law Amendment that would permit four units “as-of-right" on residential properties.

Permitting four units on residential properties has been identified as a requirement for grants under the federal government’s $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). While Lakeshore was not successful in attaining initial grant funding, a second round of funding is now open.

“Council members demonstrated bold leadership on a tough, but critical, decision related to one of the defining issues of our time, housing,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey. “The fact is that we continue to face significant pressures on our infrastructure systems, which has highlighted the need to find partners, at all levels of government, and identify solutions whenever possible to facilitate the future growth of our communities.”

The report to Council explained that if permitted, developers could choose to incorporate additional units into new buildings or existing ones. The four-unit dwellings could take multiple forms, for instance, as four units in a primary dwelling or as three units in a primary dwelling with a separate additional residential unit (ARU).

“Certainly, this does not mean that a fourplex will pop up at every corner in Lakeshore,” Mayor Bailey added. “Housing growth will continue to be dictated by where our infrastructure will allow it. Council will hear more on those necessary infrastructure investments as part of the upcoming Water and Wastewater Master Plan.”

The report also noted that, currently, the only area that could accommodate four-unit developments would be in the immediate vicinity of the Denis St. Pierre Water Pollution Control Plant.