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An affordable housing project that many residents opposed has gotten the green light in Mississauga.

Indwell Community Homes, a Christian charity that builds affordable housing, has proposed a four-story, 51-unit affordable apartment building for vacant land at 1639 Lakeshore Road. W. There is commercial space planned on the ground floor. The tenant of the space has not yet been determined.

The project received funding of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Peel Region and hopes to open its doors in 2025.

The project has aroused opposition from neighborhood residents who raised concerns about a loss of retail space, parking and community safety. In a petition launched on change.org, the group expressed concern about the location and lack of community consultation.

The vacant land located at 1639 Lakeshore Road. W. Photo: Google Maps

In July, the City of Mississauga Committee of Adjustment did not approve a request to reduce parking, thereby delaying the progress of the project.

The applicant had planned 17 parking spaces for the site but the zoning bylaw requires 41 spaces, resulting in a shortfall of 24 parking spaces, according to the planning report. Indwell then applied for an exemption through the payment in lieu program.

Developers who do not provide enough parking spaces can request payment in lieu of off-street parking.

Several residents spoke out against the reduction of parking spaces on October 7 Planning and Development Committee. Many residents were concerned that their vehicles would park at neighboring businesses and that many of them even posed safety risks.

But councilors agreed the development did not need 41 spaces because most residents would not have vehicles.

“There is no way this development needs more than 17 parking spaces,” said Councilor Brad Butt.

The planning committee generally agreed with a lower number of places.

Kelly Singh of More Homes Mississauga asked council to waive Fees of $246,432 for the payment in lieu program. Singh said a nonprofit should not pay this type of fee and that barriers need to be reduced to support affordable housing.

Councilor Alvin Tedjo said the city needs more affordable housing. There are more than 12,000 neighbors on the waiting list for this type of housing in Mississauga and the city needs to remove barriers, he said.

“We should put people first as much as possible,” he said.

He suggests that the fees be reduced.

The cThe committee approved reduced parking. The fee was reduced to $2 and ultimately approved at cmunicipal council at the October 30 meeting.

Yesterday at #Mississauga Tip, we reduced the $246,432 affordable housing tax to $2. There are more than 12,000 neighbors on the waiting list for this type of housing in our city. We need to remove these kinds of barriers and build affordable housing.

People in the parking lot!
Yesterday at #Mississauga Tip, we cut the $246,432 affordable housing tax to $2
There are more than 12,000 neighbors on the waiting list for this type of housing in our city
We need to remove these kinds of barriers and build affordable housing pic.twitter.com/ZRzUyuyfe8

– Alvin Tedjo (@AlvinTedjo) October 31, 2024

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