The Town of Tecumseh has begun the process of offering public consultation on how a sum of federal housing money should be used.
Public open houses were held throughout the day Monday at Tecumseh Arena, to allow residents a chance to learn more about the funding.
Discussion was held concerning four potential options for allowing Tecumseh property owners to build one more Additional Residential Unit (ARU), than the two currently permitted as-of-right in low-density areas.
An ARU is defined as a self-contained unit within the same building, or on the same lot, as an existing residence. An ARU has its own kitchen and washroom, and a dedicated entrance.
Currently, Ontario law only allows three units on all residential lots.
The four options the Town is considering are as follows.
Up to three ARUs on lots with a minimum of 24.4 metres, or 80 feet, of frontage.
Up to three ARUs of lots with a minimum of 18 metres, or 60 feet, of frontage.
Up to three ARUs on all lots, with a minimum of 30 per cent of available space devoted to landscaped open space.
Up to three ARUs on all lots, with the minimum landscaped open space requirement of the given zone applying.
ARUs will not be allowed in any flood-prone areas. That will exclude 1,900 primary units in those zones.
In February 2024, the Town was granted $4.38-million in federal funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), which is designed to speed up home construction.
The fund establishes nine initiatives to accelerate house construction, which can be seen on the HAF page on the Town's official website.
For those who could not attend Monday's sessions, Tecumseh Town Council will hold a second public meeting on Monday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall.