$1.4M affordable housing project underway in downtown Charlottetown after delays
Three-unit development expected to be completed next spring
It's taken about two and a half years, but work is now underway on an affordable housing project in downtown Charlottetown.
The new development is happening at 231 Richmond St., in the city's historic 500-lot area where many heritage homes sit. The property is owned by the P.E.I. Housing Corporation, which oversees social housing in the province.
Back in March 2023, the city issued a permit to the corporation allowing it to demolish the existing house on the site. However, the project faced delays after an area resident appealed the decision to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission.
That appeal was dismissed, and the city issued a new demolition permit on May 30. Back in June, some residents in the area again requested that the city reconsider the demolition.
Charlottetown Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov, who chairs the city's planning and heritage committee, said the planning board turned that request down, adding that the latest reconsideration alone took up a full day of staff time.
"I was frustrated for the amount of hours the staff would have to put in preparing these various reports, preparing documentation for IRAC, etc.," Jankov told CBC News.
"All of the other things that are happening in the planning and heritage department... were put on hold to take time to look at a demolition reconsideration when the demolition had long taken place."
Officials with the province told CBC News the new building will include three affordable housing units. The total cost of the project is just under $1.4 million and should be completed by next spring.
Bylaw changes coming
Jankov said the reconsideration process falls under Charlottetown's zoning and development bylaw, which allows any member of the public to request a review of council or staff decisions.
Requests must meet specific thresholds, such as presenting new information or identifying a procedural error, to move forward.
Jankov said that process may need to be reviewed to prevent delays to developments like the Richmond Street project.
"We've already started working on our zoning and development bylaw, and we're hoping to have changes in place by the end of the calendar year," she said.
"So I would say by this fall, we'll be going out to the public for public input on what they might like to see. We've already done surveys and some community engagement sessions, so that will continue on as we move forward."
With files from Wayne Thibodeau