Homeowners in the Westridge subdivision likely won’t be allowed basement suites in the near future.
Residents signed a petition to keep secondary suites out of the neighbourhood after a young couple announced they wanted to create one.
Town council listened to the petition signers and decided to stop the basement suite from going in.
“Some 20 people out of 37 homes in the subdivision have come forward with a signed document expressing that they would be very much against us issuing this variance. This concerns me,” said Coun. Frank Armitage.
The petition said homeowners in the Westridge subdivision purchased their property knowing it was just for single families.
They were concerned more renters would mean more vehicles on the street, which would interfere with their children playing. They pointed out there are other areas in town that allow basement suites.
Coun. Marilyn Harkness said the decision was difficult to make because the young couple needed the basement suite to help pay for their property.
“But on the other hand we have to pay attention to that many neighbours who signed a petition not wanting to see a secondary suite go into a home in their neighbourhood,” she said.
