By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County council's approval of Cramahe Official Plan Amendment No. 16 to allow additional residential units within the township at its December meeting is actually big news.
This is an important tool for Cramahe Township residents who want to establish accessory and rental buildings on their property, and the matter before council codifies this option, Councillor Mandy Martin explained – formally establishing things like minimum distance separations and lot-line criteria.
“It's actually a pretty exciting development for people living in the local area with family situations like granny flats,” Martin said.
“It wasn't our idea. It was mandated by the province. But what we are doing is putting in the red-tape stuff.”
“We have also done this in our municipality,” Alnwick-Haldimand Township Councillor Gail Latchford added.
“We don't have the resources for the big developments in affordable housing. This is a way for the local areas to contribute,” Latchford said.
“We looked at it as a way for us to provide affordable housing when families need it – when seniors still want to stay in the area but the children have taken over the home.”
