More public consultation will be needed before Elliot Lake council makes changes to its Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow for more residential units, such as basement apartments.
The city is facing a shortage of housing and the province passed a Bill in 2019 mandating that all Ontario municipalities entertain changes to their local zoning regulations which would allow for more intensive housing planning.
However, Elliot Lake resident Marie Murphy Foran told council if they were to change the legislation, it should not exclude waterfront properties and could lead to an overabundance of basement apartments, which she says is not a healthy situation for quality of life for people.
Council took her concerns under advisement and deferred the motions at the request of the planner and city clerk to allow more time for public input and assessment.