Meaford is looking into the development of tiny homes in the municipality to address housing needs.
Council approved a motion from Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney directing staff to begin a land disposal process during a meeting on Monday, which would result in a request to allow for the
expedited approval of tiny homes.
Keaveney’s motion says Meaford, like many other communities, is trying to provide a variety of housing types for residents.
The municipality recently completed a surplus lands inventory, which found three parcels of land zoned as vacant residential and are easily serviceable.
Her motion adds the Institute of Southern Georgian Bay has conducted considerable research into the viability of tiny homes around Georgian Bay with positive outcomes.
Keaveney’s motion says there is an interest from Meaford council in exploring the potential of affordable tiny homes, as there are developers in the area who have identified the need for this type of housing and their ability to construct them.
“In the Ontario Building Code, it states that 188 square feet is actually the minimum as long as that unit provides for a dinning, a bathroom, a kitchen, a sleeping space, and so on. As long as that that is contained, now that is not necessarily my vision for this, I see the homes as being a little bit bigger, but that is the opportunity to have homes of that size,” says Keaveney.
She adds it would be great if Meaford were to be the first community in Grey County to have a tiny home development.
“I think this provides an opportunity for people to get into the housing market that may be don’t want to rent a small apartment or that can’t afford a house. This gives them a place to start and it works for people who are downsizing as well, who just want a nice little place to live in a nice environment,” says Keaveney.
She hopes to have a follow up report before the end of this term of council.