A developer who is allowing laneway homes to be built as part of a new sub-division in Arrow Heights was inspired by rules he saw in Vancouver.
"They're mortgage helpers, for extended families, high density, and a long-term rental solution," said Realtor Emily Beaumont, who will be marketing the new lots for developer Garry Gregg.
On Tuesday, council approved a development variance permit that would allow laneway homes on an eight-lot sub-division on Airport Way south of Nichol Road.
Gregg, through his company North 51 Holdings, applied to vary regulations for the lots so that each one could contain a two-storey accessory building with a suite on the upper level.
Council approved the request unanimously.
"As the lots are being newly created, future purchasers would be buying the lot knowing that their lot and the adjacent lots would have the ability to build two storey accessory buildings with a secondary suite," wrote Dean Strachan, the City of Revelstoke's former manager of development services, in a report to council. "When two storey accessory buildings are proposed in existing neighbourhoods, there can be neighbour concerns with the building height. However, when proposed in a new neighbourhood development, everyone knows when they purchase a lot that these accessory buildings are permitted."
The property is located on the west side of Airport Way, stretching south from Nichol Road.
Beaumont said each lot would be 0.17 hectacres in size and will go up for sale in the spring. She said there was no plans to re-zone the lots to allow for vacation rentals.
Laneway homes, as these types of accessory buildings are often called, are considered one solution to addressing housing issues. The City of Vancouver allows laneway homes on most residential lots in the city.
"Laneway houses contribute to the overall sustainability of the city," says the City of Vancouver website. "They give people more opportunities to live close to where they work, shop, and play, and they make the city's urban lanes more green, liveable, and safe."
Gregg also developed the Rivendell Townhomes on Centre Street in Southside.