The City of Williams Lake is seeking public feedback for the creation of a zoning bylaw allowing the permission of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) within City limits.
“We are inviting all residents within the City of Williams Lake to please share their housing perspectives and thoughts on this proposed bylaw by taking part in our newly-launched online survey,” Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said. “The community’s feedback is crucial in helping to shape future planning and development for residences within the City.”
The City is currently facing housing challenges similar to other communities in the province. ADUs are being proposed to help address the issue.
ADUs, including Carriage Houses and Garden Suites, are small, standalone homes located on an already existing lot with a main residence. An ADU can have one or two storeys and can be above a detached garage.
“Effective ADU planning considers accessibility, sustainability and neighbourhood character into its designs,” said Jessica Ball, City Planner. “ADUs will help to provide a wider range of housing options for residents and allow seniors to age in place, help make homeownership more attainable by providing a mortgage helper and allows for more housing development without needing more land.”
ADUs are currently not permissible without a rezoning application.
“To simplify the approval process, the City is looking to amend its zoning bylaw to permit ADUs in specific residential zones,” Ball added.
The survey is available online and should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Its purpose is to help better understand the community’s housing needs and to explore the option of adding ADUs to the City’s residential zoning as an option to combat housing challenges.
The online survey can be taken at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VMXKLRG
The deadline for survey feedback is Monday, February 13, 2023.
For more information visit www.williamslake.ca/991/Accessory-Dwelling-Units.
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Media contact:
Jessica Ball, Planner 1
jball@williamslake.ca
Phone: 250.392.8483
City Hall: 250.392.2311