Columbia Valley Pioneer Staff
The Columbia Valley Housing Society (CVHS) is proposing a new affordable housing project at 214-10th Avenue and has asked the District of Invermere for help.
Housing representatives Bill Kirkpatrick and Pete Bourke addressed council on July 11 to outline a proposal on 10th Avenue next to Carriage Court. The 10,454 sq. ft. parcel is currently zoned R-2 multi-family residential.
The plan is to build eight dwelling units with a maximum height of 10 metres (three storeys).
The current zoning for height is 7.5 metres. The plan also calls for 10 parking spaces.
Kirkpatrick requested that the district either gift or lease the land to the CVHS and consider the following zoning changes: Allow four secondary suites, allow height up to 10 metres, and allow 10 off-street parking spots for the eight units.
The next steps include a commitment from council and an application for planning funds from Columbia Basin Trust. The society also has to contract an architectural planner, apply for a construction grant from BC Housing, and choose a developer.
The society says this property is ideal for multi-family, higher density housing and meets the BC government’s “Homes for People” plan by building more affordable town homes and duplexes through zoning changes and proactive partnerships.
Invermere Mayor Al Miller told the Pioneer that staff are going to work with the Society to see how to “best manage positive outcomes for our much needed housing situation.”
