City mulls more seniors housing

City council will consider a proposal to expand a program that encourages multiple-family housing to include seniors housing and care homes during Monday night’s regular meeting.

As it stands, the city provides property tax exemptions for projects holding three or more units and with a minimum construction value of $300,000 through the program.

Those constructed in the city’s “primary growth area” – effectively the Crescents and South Fort George neighbourhoods – get a 10-year exemption while those in any of the “secondary growth areas” located around the city get five-year exemptions.

At least half the units must meet accessibility standards, they must either have balconies or shared green space and meet exterior design standards.

Development cost charges are waived for non-profit housing in both types of areas, and they are lowered by $229 per unit for those on the 10-year exemption zone that meet a low-environmental impact designation.

Requirements on that aspect include a minimum density of 50 units per hectare, low-flow fixtures and water-efficient landscaping. Council will also consider adding electric vehicle charging station to those standards.

Four projects are currently receiving the incentives; the 173unit Riverbend seniors complex at 1444 20th Ave.; the 27-unit Ts’oo Yoh, or House of Spruce recently opened at 1811 Spruce St.; a nine-unit project under construction at 1694 Seventh Ave.; and an eight-unit project at 525 Alward St. currently in the design stage.

Also on the agenda, delegates from the Prince George Cycling Club and the Mennonite Central Committee will give presentations.

And council will consider a staff report on how Masich Place Stadium will be operated when it’s reopened.