A new, mixed-use development will bring housing and commercial units to an empty lot on Argyle Street.
The owner of 5130 Argyle Street, which is an empty lot located next to the Port Pub, has received a development permit for a mixed-use, multi-family and commercial use building. The owner is a numbered company identified as 1381905 B.C. LTD.
The five-storey building will have commercial units on the ground floor, with 68 apartment units on the upper floors. There will be underground parking, as well as ground parking.
The development has received a development variance permit for a two-metre height variance, with the condition that the owner enter into a housing agreement with the City of Port Alberni. This agreement says that 10 percent of the housing units in the building (a total of seven units) will be below-market studio apartments, secured at an "affordable" rate for 10 years. Affordable means that the units will be rented for no more than 30 percent of the tenant's annual gross income.
During a regular council meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, Coun. Todd Patola applauded the city's planning department for having a housing agreement attached to this particular development.
"We need them on every development,” said Patola.
The city's director of development services, Scott Smith, said that while city staff are always looking at what they can do to ensure affordable housing, the private development industry cannot be expected to solve the housing and rental crisis in British Columbia.
"They can be a part of the puzzle," said Smith. “True affordable housing is going to need to be provided by senior levels of government."
Coun. Cindy Solda expressed disappointment in the 10-year term for the affordable rate, calling it a "Band-Aid" solution.
"But it’s good enough for now,” she said.
Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions called the housing agreement a step in the right direction.
"This is a good step that we haven’t had before," she said.
Council gave three readings to the housing agreement on Sept. 9 and adopted the agreement on Monday, Sept. 23.
