A Windsor city councillor plans to ask a lot of questions at Monday night's Planning, Heritage and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting now that two more requests to convert apartment buildings into condos are listed on the agenda.
The conversions have been going on for years, and Chris Holt admits he's not the first to express concern. He wonders if the city is selling itself short to those considering making the move to the city.
"We're very vocal about our desire to be an attraction for seniors, but not every senior wants to own a home or buy a condo, so are we actually limiting ourselves?"
Holt says the requests have been coming for years, and although he's uncertain just how many apartment building owners have made the switch, he estimates the majority of multi-unit buildings are condominiums.
He says he understands why building owners are making the switch.
"What's happening is owners of these buildings, traditionally apartment towers, have been paying a mill rate that is two-and-a-half times that a regular homeowner would pay."
He plans to ask administration if there's anything the city can do to address the discrepancy, and what impacts condo conversions have had on occupancy.
