The Village of Pemberton will consider introducing two new housing types in a new subdivision: houseplexes and co-housing. These housing types are being proposed for a 2.4-hectare development located at 7362 Pemberton Farm Road East.
Houseplexes, multi-unit buildings designed to resemble large houses, can accommodate up to four dwelling units on a lot. These units could be either strata-titled to offer lower-cost homeownership options or owned by a single family with additional units rented out as mortgage helpers or for multi-generational living.
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Co-housing involves buildings with 10 to 16 micro-suites and common areas such as kitchens, living rooms, laundry, and social spaces. This arrangement offers residents increased social interaction with housemates while providing opportunities for independent living within their units.
“The housing mix is a key change from the original application. The addition of gentle density increases “missing middle” housing types and brings in diversity at an appropriate scale for this property,” according to a staff report by Village of Pemberton. The council will discuss the report at a meeting next week on May 7.
According to a Village of Pemberton, the proposal for these housing types is part of a revised site layout for the development that reflects feedback from public meetings and the Advisory Land Use Commission. It aligns with the Village’s commitment to support diverse housing options and provincial initiatives to increase housing supply.
The revised application suggests a shift from the original plan presented in April 2023, which proposed 34 residential lots and one commercial lot. The updated plan now includes a mix of triplex, houseplex, and co-housing options, contributing to a diverse and appropriate housing scale for the property.
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“Since the initial presentation to the Committee of the Whole in April 2023, staff have continued to work with the applicants to improve their proposal. The applicants have submitted a revised site layout and supplemental letters to support the application,” the report notes.