Grey Highlands council has received no objections to a local resident’s plan to live in a modular home in Priceville.
On Sept. 23, council held a public meeting to consider comments about a proposal to allow a modular home on a property in Priceville. There were no comments or objections to the request at the meeting and members of council took turns expressing support for the concept.
Local resident Debra Varey is seeking the planning amendments to allow a modular home to be located on a 1.3 acre property in Priceville. The home would be constructed elsewhere, towed to the building lot and permanently affixed to a concrete block foundation.
However, in working on the file, Grey Highlands planning staff discovered that the type of home being proposed fits the municipality’s definition of a mobile home in its official plan and zoning bylaw, despite its modular nature.
The planning regulations define a modular home as one that is brought to the building lot in two or more pieces and is attached to a permanent basement.
Andrew Payne, manager of planning, explained that the residential zone allows only single detached homes, which necessitated the need for the zoning and official plan amendments.
Grey Highlands received no objections to the proposal from any other agency or from the public. Members of council said the definitions in the zoning bylaw and official plan need to be changed as they are no longer relevant.
“Personally, I’m leaning in favour of finding ways to allow for mobile homes as primary dwellings in Grey Highlands,” said Coun. Joel Loughead. “I think the definitions we’re working from in our bylaws are probably outdated in terms of both attitudes towards housing and also mobile and modular homes. Technologies have evolved.”
Loughead said he hoped changes would come soon to avoid residents having to go through the zoning and official plan amendment process to pursue those kinds of housing options.
“I’m hoping that we’ll figure out a way for the official plan to no longer need an amendment so that we can better address this forum of dwelling going forward,” he said.
Coun. Tom Allwood said council had already directed staff to work on the issue.
“I believe staff is already working on something,” said Allwood.
Payne said a report would be coming to council in October addressing the situation and outlining different options for council to consider in terms of definitions of mobile/modular homes and that public consultation would be happening on the issue.
“It is a change that, hypothetically, could change the fabric of entire neighbourhoods,” said Payne. “Therefore it is believed by staff that council must proceed with the knowledge that the changes they are making are changes that should be brought before all of the public and the public should have ample chance to comment on how those changes take place.”
Varey, the applicant on the file, said she hoped Grey Highlands would have a better definition of this kind of housing in the future.
“It has been a long adventure,” she said of her application.
Coun. Nadia Dubyk said she looked forward to the future changes to open up housing options for the public.
“Housing accessibility and affordability is a priority for us and this is a good example of affordable and accessible housing,” said Dubyk.
Council did not make a decision on the matter. The application will come to a future council meeting with a staff recommendation.
