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Expense perspective

Reader discusses housing density and cost in North Saanich

In his letter of Oct. 10, Ty West urges  North Saanich to stop the building of Langford-style subdivisions at 9395 East Saanich/Canora Road.

The proposed four-acre subdivision will have  a density of 10 lots/acre — 39 lots of 300 square meters minimum -— and single-family houses at prices starting from $400,000.

If North Saanich Council would allow multi-family housing at a density of 20 units/acre, housing would be affordable to  families earning $40,000/year or less.

Moreover, the $40,000 benchmark is a projected average income for the Peninsula workforce. These houses will also be affordable  to retirees living in 40-50+ year old houses on half-acre lots who want to downsize to  more manageable lots. For those seniors who want to remain in single-family homes with a small garden, the development at 9395 East Saanich may be the only affordable option they will have.

In Sidney, single-family houses on a First Street development (density of 10 units/acre) are assessed at  $621,000 to $732,000. At 9395 East Saanich, a house will cost considerably less.

Rebecca Vermeer

North Saanich