One local woman’s request to have a mobile garden suite built for her mother as an affordable seniors housing option took a step forward this week.
Bradford West Gwillimbury’s Committee of the Whole, which is made up of council members, approved Jodi Greenstreet’s application for a temporary use zoning bylaw amendment for a 100-square-metre dwelling at 4136 Line 8, a property Greenstreet rents.
She made the application on behalf of the property owners, according to a town staff report.
“I’m certainly in favour of this,” said Mayor Rob Keffer. “It’s something that’s in our Official Plan. This is a good opportunity for other people to realize that it’s there.”
Greenstreet said during a public meeting last month the closest seniors housing her mother could afford was in Burlington, but this way she can stay close to family in town.
According to the town’s bylaws, a portable garden suite — one-unit, detached residential structure with a bathroom and kitchen — is allowed on agricultural properties, but no more than one home is allowed on any lot.
Since Greenstreet already lives on the property, the amendment would allow for a second unit for her mother.
According to a draft agreement, the property owners are responsible for maintaining the garden suite and associated lands in a “neat and orderly manner.”
The temporary bylaw would be in place for 20 years, and would have to be reapplied for when that was up.
If the property sells, the garden suite occupant leaves, or the bylaw is expired, the owners have 60 days to remove the suite and “restore the associated lands to a neat and orderly condition,” read the draft agreement.
