2021-05-19

Housing society proposes partnership with Lunenburg, developers

Lunenburg will examine what it wants to do with content from an organization proposing housing options and the group's desire to partner with the town and developers to help achieve those goals.

The Lunenburg Plan B Housing Society offered housing development support, recommended establishing a committee mandated to work on housing objectives and do this work with the vision of the town's community plan in mind.

Society proponents Virginia Stephen, Faune Creaser and Anne MacLeod Weeks recently addressed town council about the group's intentions.

"What it boiled down to was thinking about a big picture, about what we wanted Lunenburg to look like and what kind of environment we would want to live in or that we would like to see other people living in," Stephen explained to council.

"We don't want to be developers, nor do we have the financial means" to carry out the plans, she said, adding, "we're really willing and eager to work with developers and the town to provide input and and insight and bounce ideas."

The group prides itself on its interest in community development and offers its research and investigative abilities and other skills to help the town and any prospective developers.

Formed in 2019, the society lists a number of objectives, including addressing needs for appropriate services and encouraging diverse, engaged and supportive neighbourhoods. It also hopes to champion creative, artful planning and building that will result in sustainable, adaptive, eco-friendly housing. In a computer-aided slide presented to council, the society reported on housing models "which provide right-fit solutions for individuals to ensure all aspects of well-being."

MacLeod Weeks said the society could act as facilitators to help meet the need for a mix of housing - or pocket neighbourhoods - on small or large parcels.

Lunenburg has "a shortage of housing options for those coming to town, alone or with their families, to study, to teach, to perform, to work ... or for those coming to work on projects or contracts," the group's presentation document indicated. It noted the town also possesses "a well-educated population that values both heritage homes and contemporary, good design" along with "a shortage of affordable and available housing for all ages."

Among priorities for new neighbourhoods, the society identified "green space to integrate nature," such as open green areas, gardens, pathways, trees, and outdoor relaxation and social spaces. The organization also supports a "variety of housing types, depending on lot size and cost: single-story standalone, side-by-side duplex and townhouses, apartment-style multi unit, rental units including affordable housing."

Also preferred are "walking distance to services ... and/or available community transit to services."