Lakeshore avoids housing zoning wars, secures $7M to boost home building

Lakeshore has committed to housing initiatives, such as the four-unit by right zoning. CTV Windsor’s Ricardo Veneza has the details.

The Municipality of Lakeshore is moving forward to secure $7 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). Lakeshore has received its first of four payments meant to fast-track new home builds.

Included in these initiatives is committing to four-unit by right zoning, and no pushback has been seen from residents, unlike neighbouring communities.

“It’s really been transformational for Lakeshore,” said Tyson Cragg, Lakeshore CAO.

The funding was announced in March and will help build 898 new units.

“Remember provincially, triplexes are already allowed,” said Cragg.

“We don’t have a proliferation of triplexes in Lakeshore. It doesn’t mean there’s going to be a four-plex on every corner, doesn’t mean there’s going to be high rises on every corner. It’s a gentle densification in a way that works for Lakeshore.”

Cragg said council is committed to the zoning change and credits the town’s Horizons initiative, meant to modernize planning and development for engaging with residents and walking them through potential changes.

The zoning issue was a divisive one for councils in Windsor and Tecumseh, as a condition of HAF support.

Windsor failing to relax zoning meant it lost around $30 million. Tecumseh has put three quarters of its $4.4 million under the program at risk, after it flip-flopped on the change.

“We have come at this with the perspective that information is good, conversation is good,” said Anneke Smit, Centre for Cities director.

Centre for Cities has partnered with the municipality to drive housing and development change in the fast-growing municipality.

Smit said residents raised concerns about maintaining small town feel, preserving farmland, and keep property taxes in check.

“Four-plexes actually integrate incredibly well into existing neighbourhoods and are already there,” said Smit.

“It’s a question of making sure that the design is good, that there is some forethought given to how they fit into the neighbourhood.”

Lakeshore has other measures under its HAF agreement, including a new community improvement plan, affordable housing strategy, and pattern book meant to speed up construction approvals.