The City of Windsor is taking steps toward alleviating a shortage of rental units.
Windsor City Council's Planning, Heritage and Economic Development Committee agreed to send a motion to full council to amend the city's by-laws and allow second units in residential areas.
Under the definition, the units have their own entryway, along with a separate kitchen, living space and washroom from the primary dwelling it is associated with.
The amendment, which would be placed in the city's Official Plan, would allow secondary units within detached, semi-detached and townhouse buildings, or within buildings accessory to those home types, such as a garage or guest house.
Secondary units would not be allowed in basements in flood-prone areas, according to city Senior Planner Greg Atkinson. However, they would be allowed outside flood areas where downspouts are disconnected, and a sump pump and backwater prevention valve are installed.
The secondary unit must be smaller than the main dwelling, have direct pedestrian access from a street or alleyway, and must not alter the exterior of buildings considered heritage properties.
The decision to send the plan to the full council is encouraging to Marina Clemens of the Housing Advisory Committee. She said the lack of affordable rental units can take its toll on singles and families starting out.
"When I think about young families who may want to buy a house, but they get outbid so many times, even in Windsor now with our market, they could think 'OK, maybe if I could rent out part of the basement', which they could, then it would help them get that house," said Clemens.
The plan does not sit well with some residents, like Caroline Taylor, who lives in west Windsor. She told the committee that safety is a concern for her, and later expressed concern about some of Windsor's historic neighbourhoods being negatively impacted.
"I can see Victoria St., beautiful Victoria St., turning into a rental district," said Taylor. "All those beautiful grand homes, one by one, and all of the people who live there move on, and they are then divided into multiple dwellings."
The safety of homes with multiple rental units has been a concern for residents for years, particularly since a University of Windsor student died in a house fire two years ago. The city has begun a pilot project to handle concerns over the city's rental housing.
City council is expected to vote on the plan next month.