Micro-suites of less than 355 square feet would be allowed in many areas of Victoria if a proposal being recommended by city staff is approved.
To improve affordability, city staff are recommending removing the minimum unit size in all 22 multi-unit residential zoning areas of the city.
Currently, only the downtown core has no minimum unit size.
In most other multiple-dwelling districts in the city, the minimum floor area of a single units is 355 square feet.
Mayor Lisa Helps called the measure “low-hanging fruit,” but said she’s happy a proposal in the Victoria Housing Strategy is being recommended for implementation so quickly.
“These are recommendations made by the community through the mayor’s task force. Council approved the housing strategy in June 2016, and three months later we’re already seeing the first of that implemented,” Helps said.
“I think this is a good and easy one to start with, and I think the policy direction is good.”
City staff recommend that if the minimum unit size is eliminated, consideration should be given to improving livability by “including access to natural light, air, privacy and proximity.”
The staff report recommends that removal of minimum unit size be accompanied by a new regulation requiring at least one operable window per residential unit.
The report notes that minimum unit size isn’t the only barrier to affordability, as parking can also come into play. Off-street parking regulations require 1.1 to 1.5 off-street parking stalls per unit (depending on the zone), but those requirements are under review.
“By getting rid of parking, it does make units more affordable,” Helps said.
Experience has shown that there’s a market for micro-units.
When Reliance Properties put its Janion project, featuring 122 units mostly ranging in size from 250 to 350 square feet, up for sale, some prospective buyers camped overnight to get a condo.
The project at 1612 Store St., which combines a rebuilt 1891 hotel with new construction, is nearing completion.
Mike Miller, president of Abstract Developments, said removing the minimum size could act as an incentive for builders.
“What it’s going to do is open up the doors for properties such as the Janion to be developed without special zoning,” Miller said.
The key to the success of micro-units will be their location, he said. A 250 square foot unit with no parking is appropriate for downtown Victoria, but probably wouldn’t be as desirable near Uptown in Saanich.
