​Kincardine okays aggressive plan to facilitate affordable housing project

Kincardine council has approved an aggressive plan to facilitate an affordable housing project at 705 Princes Street in the Town of Kincardine (Ward 1).

At the meeting Wednesday night (Nov. 13), a motion was put forward by councillor Mike Hinchberger and seconded by deputy mayor Andrea Clarke, to proceed with a number of directions to staff that would see a portion of the property severed, rezoned and prepared for Expressions of Interest for an affordable housing development on the severed parcel.

The motion states that staff would be directed to do the following:
 

• Order a reference plan to delineate that portion of 705 Princes Street, Kincardine, that will become the severed parcel, having an area of about 0.28 hectares (0.69 acres)
• Rezone the severed parcel to Residential Four (R4) from Institutional, to permit residential apartments as a permitted in the R2 zone
• Notify the current resident of 705 Princes Street (Bruce Power Training Centre) of potential changes to the property and advise that any future lease negotiations with the current tenant shall consider the contemplated changes to the property and the possible future sale of the severed parcel for development of affordable housing
• Once the reference plan delineating the dimensions of the severed parcel has been deposited in the registry office, staff is to issue an Expression of Interest for an affordable housing development on the severed parcel, seeking submissions that align with the municipality’s vision and the concept plan included in the Flourish report of Sept. 16, 2024

Council barely had a quorum to discuss this omnibus bill, as four members were required to declare a conflict, including councillors Jennifer Prenger, Amanda Steinhoff-Gray, Beth Blackwell and Stellina Williams.

Hinchberger thanked chief administrative officer Jillene Bellchamber-Glazier for her assistance with the motion.

He said Kincardine has an affordable housing problem. The previous council approved the Housing Action Plan, staff had drawn up a list of surplus municipal properties, and this council received a report from Flourish at the Oct. 23 meeting.

The proposed surplus properties were ranked by priority, and 705 Princes Street (old W.E. Thompson Public School) property ranked at the top of the list, he said. “I’m seeking council’s approval to move forward.”



This photo from the Flourish report indicates the site, at the south end of the parking lot at the Bruce Power Training Centre (705 Princes Street) where the proposed affordable housing development would be located

Councillor Bill Stewart noted that this motion contains everything, including the kitchen sink.

“Have we even talked to Bruce Power about taking over this property?” he asked. “There is a process from A to Z, but not A to Z all at once.

“As a lower tier municipality, we don’t have the responsibility for affordable housing. We can support some of the initiatives at the provincial and federal levels. Where do we have, in-house, the expertise in planning for this?

“We are not in the business of affordable housing. Our job is the delivery of basic services to the community.”

Stewart said the municipality is already in debt, servicing property that has yet to be developed, at Highways 9 and 21, and north of the Sutton Park Mall.

“You want to use tax dollars for this? Who’s going to operate this? You can go ahead with the severance, but what if you can’t do it? I think this is too much to approve all at once.

“We should work with Bruce County Housing. They’re planning things long-term. I’m not sure of the budget for this; I’m afraid to ask.”

Hinchberger went back to the Flourish report and the group that met to discuss affordable housing in Kincardine, which included the municipality, Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey, Community Living of Kincardine and District, and Russell Meadows Non-Profit Housing. To read the entire report, click here.

There have been discussions with Bruce Power since the lease on that property expires in January, 2025, said Hinchberger. He also pointed out that the municipality would not be building the affordable housing or operating it.

The developer would be responsible for putting up the building including land acquisition, he said, noting that the municipality would get the land to a point where it could be handed over, with the outcome determined by the municipality.

Hinchberger added that the municipality has an affordable housing reserve fund with $56,000 in it. Of that, $15,000 was used on the consultant for the Flourish report. The rest could be used to cover the cost to get the land ready for development.

Stewart disagreed with that, saying he’s not that keen on paying for this, and then just giving the property away. He is also concerned whether there has been adequate discussion with Bruce Power.

Bellchamber-Glazier said council had asked when it was drawing up a list of surplus lands. That report came to council over a year ago. She said there was a conversation when that property was identified as a potential site for affordable housing.

“This motion is not for the entire property but a portion of it,” she said. “The lease (with Bruce Power) would not include that portion.”

Clarke said that Stewart has raised a number of valid points. However, the only role that the municipality can play is to provide land for affordable housing, she said, adding that there will be an opportunity for public engagement. “This is the first step in a very long journey.”

The motion was approved, 4-1, in a recorded vote. Voting in favour, were mayor Kenneth Craig, councillor Rory Cavanagh, Hinchberger and Clarke, while Stewart voted against.