Tecumseh’s Deputy Mayor looks to keep four units out of established neighbourhoods

Tecumseh deputy mayor, Joe Bachetti, has put forward a notice of motion rejecting four-plex units.

The Deputy Mayor for the Town of Tecumseh wants to deny a proposal for four units as of right in established neighbourhoods.

On Tuesday evening, Joe Bachetti presented a notice of motion not to support a Housing Accelerator Fund initiative which would pave the way for four units in low-density residential neighbourhoods.

“As a council, we could consider looking at four units as a right, to me its four units as a wrong,” Bachetti told CTV News following the meeting.

As part of the Liberal Government’s Housing Accelerator fund, municipalities were pushed to approve four units in order to receive funding.

In March 2024, Tecumseh received about $4.4 million from the fund but has not yet voted on the housing matter.

By denying regulations for four units as of right, the town could jeopardize the funding.

“To me, Tecumseh is not for sale,” Bachetti said.

At a March 12 public meeting, several residents spoke out against the proposal. They cited concerns the new rules could destroy the town’s character, create parking issues and overpopulation.

Bachetti said his motion is intended to provide direction to staff. He’s not entirely against four units but believes public consultation needs to be heard and followed.

“So, at that recent public meeting, and there’s a petition that’s going on in our community that they do not want to see four units as a right in established neighbourhoods,” he added.

“So, putting the notice of motion basically saying, this is what they do not want when I say they do not want, it’s the ones that were here that voiced their concerns.”

The notice of motion will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting on April 8.