Tantramar council meets tonight, and one of their decisions could impact the future viability of a proposed 63-unit cooperative housing development on Fairfield Road.
Council will consider whether or not to apply to the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) as a municipal partner for the Freshwinds housing cooperative project, to cover more than 80% of the costs for sewer, water and street upgrades needed to make the development possible. That work is expected to cost about $2.4 million dollars, and includes upgrades to the lift station serving the area.
But a staff report to council appears lukewarm on the idea.
(Click here for a PDF of the package for the April 8 meeting, including the staff report.)
The report says staff have hired Catalyst Consulting to compile information for a potential application, but otherwise is not particularly supportive of the plan to apply to CHIF.
The report cites concerns over how a Freshwinds partnership application might affect future infrastructure funding requests by the town, specifically for Sackville lagoon upgrades which are required by provincial regulation to happen by 2030.
The report also says that applying for the housing infrastructure fund could set a precedent, with other non-profit developers following suit with requests to apply. The report says, “at least one other non-profit has the same ask to partner on a funding application”, but does not indicate which developer, or the size or cost of that proposed development.
Freshwinds is a non-profit cooperative that promises to build 63 units in its first phase of development. The co-op is planning to offer some subsidized units as well as long term affordability to members, due to energy efficiency and the coop’s non-market model.
The report ultimately makes no recommendation, but lists several options, ranging from outright rejecting to apply for CHIF, or proposing that Freshwinds cover the municipality’s portion of the infrastructure costs through use of the economic development tax rebate program.
Freshswinds representatives are slated to make a public presentation early on in the meeting, which starts at 7pm tonight at the Tantramar municipal office in Sackville.
