THAT pursuant to Principal Planner, Strategic Growth and Sustainability’s Report No. SGS-2024-11, Former Queen Mary School Affordable Housing Project – Status Update, Council authorize Staff to release a proposal package; and
THAT the lands of the Former Queen Mary School site, with the exception of the lands that will be designated for community parkland, be leased for the purpose of achieving an affordable rental housing project; and
THAT an Evaluation Committee review and evaluate proposals and provide final recommendations to Council for their consideration at a future meeting.
Summary:
Council approved releasing a proposal package for the former Queen Mary School site which considered the redevelopment of the lands as an affordable housing project, excluding approximately 0.3 to 0.4 hectares (0.75 to 1 acre) of the land to be designated as parkland.
The original development development plan would keep 0.75-1 acre of park space as shown below, including the existing playground (the playground structure is scheduled for replacement in the the 2026-27 Capital Budget) and community gardens:
Staff recognizes the importance of retaining parkland for the West Hill community and have included this as an objective for proposals to meet.
To ensure affordable housing will be affordable for the long-term, Staff recommend that the lands to be developed for affordable housing be leased rather than sold. By maintaining ownership, it provides the ability for the City to stipulate conditions such as construction timeline, selection criteria for tenants, and setting affordable rates.
Motion
Record: 199-2024
Former Queen Mary School Affordable Housing Project – Status Update
THAT pursuant to Principal Planner, Strategic Growth and Sustainability’s Report No. SGS-2024-11, Former Queen Mary School Affordable Housing Project – Status Update, Council authorize Staff to release a proposal package; and
THAT the lands of the Former Queen Mary School site, with the exception of the lands that will be designated for community parkland, be leased for the purpose of achieving an affordable rental housing project; and
THAT an Evaluation Committee review and evaluate proposals and provide final recommendations to Council for their consideration at a future meeting.
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