Developer shares plan for senior housing
Manitoulin developer Jib Turner made a deputation to council last week informing council of his plans to build senior co-housing with the company Solterra.
Mr. Turner explained that he would be responsible for the building of the six-unit home while Solterra would be a joint partner, helping to manage the home and care of the senior co-owners.
“With the co-housing model it protects the individual’s equity,” he explained. He gave the example of a group of five or six seniors buying into a home for $130,000, each having their own bedroom and sharing a common living room and kitchen area. They would then share the monthly costs of heat, hydro, insurance and water.
“The shared costs not only help make senior living more affordable, they also are able to sell their portion of the home when or if they choose to leave,” added Mr. Turner.
Councillor Bill Koehler asked Mr. Turner what the time frame was for the new developments, to which Mr. Turner responded that he hoped to start building the first home this fall.
“We would love to get started this year,” said Mr. Turner, noting that using his modular home business, the homes could easily be constructed in 3-4 weeks.
Council wished him good luck on his endeavour, noting that more senior housing would definitely be beneficial for the Northeast Town and Manitoulin in general.
Council amends bylaw
Based on council’s recommendation, council carried a motion to amend zoning bylaw 2002-31 on converted dwellings.
“Resolved that the council of the Corporation of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands directs staff to proceed with the process for amending the definition of dwelling, converted, in zoning bylaws 2002-31 and 2002-32,” reads the motion passed by council.
The motion starts the process of amending the bylaw. Town CAO Dave Williamson explained that the next step would be a public notice in The Expositor followed by a public meeting.
Council declines
taking over Cup and Saucer Trail
The Northeast Town council reviewed a letter from the Manitoulin Tourism Association (MTA) requesting that the Northeast Town “assume the lead responsibility for the Cup and Saucer Trail and all it entails.”
The MTA explained that “An important element of the new strategy of the MTA is to increase efforts and resources to draw people to the Island,” states the letter to council. “This requires an outward focus and the development of far reaching arms and initiatives. Like all organizations, there is a limit to our capacity so we must choose carefully where we place our energies and resources. Counterproductive to this outward looking focus are ongoing responsibilities that pull our attention back in the opposite direction—one such situation is the responsibility for the management of attractions like the Cup and Saucer Trail.”
The first motion that was put forward was for council to defer the decision, however the motion was defeated. A second motion was then put on the table to assume the responsibility of the trail. In a recorded vote, the motion was defeated by Councillors Christina Jones, Bill Kohler, Dawn Orr, Paul Skippen, Bruce Wood and Deputy Mayor Marcel Gauthier. Councillors Michael Erskine and Melissa Peters voted in favour of the motion.
Council declares town property surplus
The Northeast Town council carried a motion declaring 65 Meredith Street East as surplus and directed the town staff to proceed with the process of disposing the property through its sale.
