Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)s were in the spotlight during the latest Gravenhurst Town Council meeting.
Robert Glecoff, an owner at Home Building Centre Gravenhurst, presented to council with a request to be recognized by the Town as an approved ADU plans provider. An ADU is a form of residential unit. It is a separate, self-contained unit located on the property of a primary home.
Glecoff said new plans from the federal government are set to increase the number of ADUs across the country. None too soon for Muskoka, he said, as emergency shelter stays and homelessness have increased dramatically in recent years.
“We think that the possibility of helping people find affordable and attainable housing is a large responsibility that requires solid partnership in the community to support the program,” he told council.
Glecoff played a video for council which explained that a secondary living space is detached from the primary home with all the residential amenities you find in a regular home, including electrical and plumbing fixtures.
Beaver Homes and Cottages is billed as a premium service offered at Select Home Hardware Building Centres and has 34 units to choose from, he said.
“When we think of small houses, we don’t typically see this level of detail and beauty,” said Mayor Heidi Lorenz, of the homes depicted in the video. “I think this is a great way to visualize it.”
Melissa Halford, the Gravenhurst Director of Development Services, said the Town is currently undertaking the development of a housing action plan.
“We know that it’s something that will help address the housing needs of the community,” she said. “We don’t have the full plans yet but we know ADUs are a major part of that”
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