A new site has become the focus for a proposed tiny home eco village. After hearing feedback from residents opposing a tiny home development in Kinsmen Park, Okotoks town council decided at its meeting on Sept. 10 to investigate other potential locations. The search uncovered a 10-acre parcel designated as a special municipal dedication in the D’Arcy Ranch area, near the historic farmhouse. It had been negotiated as part of the 1994 annexation of the D’Arcy lands into the Town of Okotoks. “This meets CMHC’s (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) requirements,” said Dawn Smith, Okotoks environment and sustainability co-ordinator. “It would have mixed-use and grocery shopping nearby, including the No Frills that is already there.” The mixed-use area would come from Phase 5 of the D’Arcy Ranch development by Anthem United. Currently Anthem United has applied for its second phase, but plans to move on to Phase 5 next to secure an interested, undisclosed anchor tenant for the commercial district, she said. That meets CMHC’s accessibility requirements for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund dollars builder Vagabond Tiny Homes has applied for. Vagabond first approached the Town with its proposal and potential funding in November 2017, she said. The Town was interested particularly because of the village concept, which included about 32 tiny homes and a centralized communal building, she said. “This is one of many projects that could address affordable housing,” said Smith. “It will not address all aspects.” Mayor Bill Robertson was supportive of the site change to D’Arcy Ranch because it addressed the concerns of residents over the initial Kinsmen Park proposal. “I believe this is the way to go,” said Robertson. “I believe we should pursue this and just see where it takes us.” Council voted to select D’Arcy Ranch as the preferred site for the proposed development and directed staff to bring forward any costs that would affect the Town of Okotoks along with conceptual designs prior to further public consultation. “There will certainly be much more information coming forward and then we can decide at that time whether or not we should go forward with the tiny home eco village, or shelf it, or go to an RFP process, whatever we do,” said Robertson. “We’re looking for affordable housing at this point. This is a first step.” [yop_poll id="14"]
