Coldstream District Hall (File photo/Vernon Matters)

By Kevin Rothwell

Letters call for action

Coldstream council pressed on housing options

Mar 10, 2021 | 1:11 PM

Coldstream council dealt with two letters at Monday night’s council meeting calling on the district to diversify its housing options. One was from the City of Vernon, the other from a Coldstream citizen.

Most of Coldstream’s housing inventory is single family homes with the highest median price in the North Okanagan.

A letter and personal appearance from resident Richard Rolke suggested council’s narrow housing focus will have far-reaching impacts, including lower school enrolment and difficulty attracting skilled workers.

Rolke provided a few options that might result in additional rental housing and multi-family housing being brought on stream.

Rolke suggests to streamline the process for secondary suites to be legalized whether on properties with sewer services or on septic and amend the town centre plan to remove commercial activities and to encourage a mix of housing—townhomes, duplexes and single-family residences.

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This area makes sense as it is across from Coldstream Elementary, is on sewer and transit routes and is next to the proposed new community hall and child care centre.

“I even envision some partnerships with non-profit agencies to provide a range of price options. There will be other locations that may be suitable for multi-family, and while there may be push back in some neighbourhoods about duplexes or other styles of units, if there is thoughtful and inclusive planning, the district can sanction development that provides opportunities while minimizing the impact on neighbourhoods,” Rolke said.

Council also received Vernon council’s Feb. 23 letter with a motion calling on the district to take action.

In the letter, Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming respectfully requested that the district take meaningful steps toward the provision of more diverse housing types to address the affordability gaps identified in the recent regional housing needs assessment, endorsed by all partners.

“The assessment indicates that since 2016, 94 per cent of Coldstream’s housing starts have been single family detached, while smaller multi-family dwellings and rental units would help provide affordable and attainable options for seniors downsizing, renters and households looking to move into home ownership,” the letter stated.

Both letters were received and filed.