Riverview approves land sale for trio of 6-storey buildings, eyes housing funds

Riverview council has approved the sale of its former public works garage site to a developer proposing a trio of six-storey apartment buildings.

The vote came in a meeting this week, where councillors also rejected townhomes in a different part of town and voted to seek federal housing funds contingent on looser development rules.

Mayor Andrew LeBlanc says the town needs more — and more diverse types of — housing.

In a town where residents have been vocal in opposing developments, including the two considered on Monday, the mayor said he expects a mixed reaction to changes required for the Housing Accelerator Fund.

The program aims to offer municipalities cash for easing building rules, including allowing four-unit apartment buildings in areas they may not have been allowed before.

Riverview Mayor Andrew LeBlanc says the town can grow and still keep its tight-knit community. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)

"I think there are a large portion of people in Riverview who understand the need for more diverse housing," LeBlanc said in an interview Tuesday.

"I think there's certainly some people who would prefer that Riverview stay and look a particular way."

He says the town wants to maintain the feel of a tight-knit community while stilling growing.

A staff report to council says the town's application for funding includes grant programs for in-law and garden suites, affordable and barrier-free units, consideration of zoning changes to allow higher density development, and reviewing its approvals process.

The town has yet to change its rules for the program.

Monday's unanimous vote only served as a signal to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which administers the program, of its willingness to proceed.

The fourplex change, a requirement of the funding program, has been opposed in other municipalities.

Residents in Riverview opposed two of the developments on Monday's agenda for varying reasons, including concerns about higher density buildings close to smaller homes.

Town council voted 5-2 to reject, for a second time, a proposal to build housing on vacant land along Hillsborough Road within an existing neighbourhood.

Last year, after strong opposition, the town rejected a proposal for two three-storey buildings with a total of 56 units. The revised proposal rejected Monday had four two-storey rowhouses, totalling 24 units.

Coun. Heath Johnson said before the vote that the town needs more housing, but said that the lot should have single-family homes in keeping with the surrounding properties.

Deputy Mayor Sarah Murphy cited proximity to existing homes, loss of privacy and "overwhelming response by the residents" to also vote against the plans.

Residents in council chambers applauded the defeat of the latest proposal.

Immediately after, councillors unanimously supported a much more substantial proposal for the former public works site. Johnson declared a conflict and didn't vote.

That change would allow a trio of six-storey apartment buildings with a total of 375 residential units.

The land has been vacant since the town's old public works facility was demolished in 2017. (Town of Riverview)

The 10-acre site at the corner of Pine Glen and White Pine roads has been vacant since 2017, when the old public works garage was demolished.

After approving the rezoning, councillors voted to sell the land to Icon Developments for $500,000. The sale was conditional on the rezoning passing.

LeBlanc spoke to the split vote on housing, saying council considers each project on its merits and listens to residents.

"Sometimes council is going to think that a project is appropriate, sometimes they're not going to think that it's appropriate. That does not change the message that this council and this town is ready for growth."

He said without growth in the tax base, the town of nearly 21,000 would need to grow its tax rate to maintain services.