Chatham-Kent council is moving forward with a housing project that aims to make owning a home more affordable.
On Monday night, council approved zoning for the redevelopment of a vacant 2.62-acre property between Taylor Avenue and Memory Lane in Chatham.
According to the Opportunity Villages Community Land Trust report, there are plans for a single site with no subdivision of land.
The development proposes 18 single-detached dwellings, six semi-detached dwellings or duplex units, and six row-houses or triplex units, totalling 30 units. The units would range from 600 to 900 square feet and include one off-street parking space.
Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, who is assisting the members of the Opportunity Villages Community Land Trust board, said there have already been nearly 400 expressions of interest.
"This particular zoning amendment is one of the first steps in the process," she said. "The group is currently finalizing designs for the units, as well as the common unit.”
The development also proposes one non-residential building as a common area that will offer indoor amenities to residents, along with others in the community.
Councillor Kirkwood-Whyte said raising money for the common area building has been an ongoing challenge.
"The common area needs to be built first because it will serve as the energy hub for the development," she said. "The group has created a GoFundMe page to generate revenue for its construction."
In 2019, the municipality approved a $380,000 grant towards the project to assist with construction costs, planning application fees, building permit fees, and public utility-related fees.
However, Councillor Kirkwood-Whyte said fundraising for the construction of the common area will reduce the overall costs of the project, so the homes could be sold below the current market.
There will be another update on the project when the site plan goes to council for approval in the fall.