The Paris Independent
6
October 28, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS Council unanimously supports new Comprehensive Zoning By-law to create more affordable housing in Brant By Casandra Turnbull
optimistic that the OP will be Since the beginning of 2023, he before the Minister Municipal said, average home prices in this Paris Councillor Lukas Oakley’s Affairs and Housing very soon. area are up over 25%. “We’re not desire to bring more affordable “The more housing options that we building enough affordable housing housing options to the County was will be provided by these policies for families,” he added. He outlined passed with unanimous support will allow our grandparents and that almost 70% of homes from Brant County Council this parents to afford to downsize, and constructed in the County this year past week. our children and grandchildren to were single dwelling homes. To combat the need for a variety of purchase their first homes or find He announced that the Brantford housing options, Oakley presented affordable rentals – in our Realtors Association supports the a resolution before the Planning community,” said Oakley. resolution a strong first step in Committee on October 10th that Not only did the motion to approve offering more affordable housing in would direct staff to develop a the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Brant. policy to upzone all residentially receive full support from zoned, non-heritage properties to “This decision is about the future – councillors, but also the Brantford permit multiplexes. Since that about giving our kids and grandkids Regional Real Estate Association. Planning Committee meeting, a fair shot at owning a home,” he John Oddi, a member of the Oakley had an opportunity to sit said. Association and longtime resident down with the County’s Planning of the County of Brant and City of County staff will work on the Department staff where he was Brantford, was at Tuesday’s council Comprehensive Zoning By-Law pleased to learn they’re already in meeting to lend his support. Oddi project and will report back to the preliminary stages of drafting a stated that right now, the average council by January 31st, 2024. new Comprehensive Zoning Byprice of a single detached home in law which will expand housing Brant County sells for over $1 options in all neighbourhoods to million. create more access to equitable, sustainable community living. This Comprehensive Zoning By-Law will expand opportunities for missing middle housing forms in residentials areas, ranging from duplexes to low-rise walk-up apartments. Work on the Comprehensive ByLaw will commence as soon as the New Official Plan (OP) is approved by the province. Everyone is
