Lock-off apartments and secondary suites inside townhouses are likely on their way for 黑马磁力 Township, after council gave staff the go-ahead to bring forward a new housing bylaw.
Until now, secondary suites in 黑马磁力 Township have only been allowed in detached, single-family homes. But changes to the B.C. Building Code starting in 2019 allowed for suites inside townhouses, fourplexes, and other medium-density homes.
Meanwhile, interest in lock-off suites in apartments, including condo units, has also been growing, according to a Township staff report presented at the Monday, May 26 meeting.
A lock-off unit is essentially a secondary suite inside an apartment.
The report says they have their own kitchen, bathroom, and entryway, and cannot be sold separately from the original condo unit. They are usually small studio-style units, and provide what the report says is "a flexible housing option and mortgage helper."
The Township is looking at setting minimum standards for lock-off units that would include the unit being at least four metres wide and long, containing its own kitchen facilities with at least a sink, cooking heat source, and fridge, and 3.7 square metres of closet space.
Lock-off units would require at least 0.5 parking spaces per unit under the proposed bylaw.
"This is a badly needed form of housing," said Councillor Michael Pratt.
"Lock-offs I think are a good addition. They're permitted elsewhere," said Mayor Eric Woodward.
Council voted unanimously in favour of having staff bring forward a bylaw on the issue for a vote.
