Saanich is considering opening the door to a new housing option to meet the growing need for affordable accommodations in the community.

The district is embarking on a study looking into the .

B次元官网网址淎t this stage of the process weB次元官网网址檙e looking to get feedback from the public on key issues of areas of support and concern regarding garden suites and their potential legalization,B次元官网网址� said Cameron Scott, manager of Community Planning.

The district hopes to get that feedback from a pair of upcoming open houses as well as an online survey.

The first open house is set for Saturday, March 17 at Gordon Head Recreation Centre, 4100 Lambrick Way. The session will run from 2 to 5 p.m. and rec staff will be on hand to provide activities for children 12 and younger. There will be a brief presentation at 2:30 p.m. A second open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Douglas Fir Room at Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Drive. There will be a brief presentation at 5 p.m.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a number of factors that need to be looked at in terms of neighbourhood impact,B次元官网网址� said Scott. B次元官网网址淗ow garden suites can best fit into the fabric of existing neighbourhoods, so thatB次元官网网址檚 one of the key things.B次元官网网址�

A garden suite is a ground-oriented residential dwelling located in the backyard of a property with a single family home as its primary use. Garden suites are not currently permitted in Saanich, but council approved a study to examine opportunities to legalize garden suites in September 2017. Secondary suites are already permitted in most urban areas of Saanich.

B次元官网网址淭he key difference is that garden suites are separate structures,B次元官网网址� said Scott, adding secondary suites donB次元官网网址檛 bring concerns over privacy or the impacts on back yards. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 definitely a broader range of issues that are associated with looking at garden suites. Certainly, there are some common issues B次元官网网址� things like parking for example.B次元官网网址�

The survey will be running into April and information displays will be set up at local recreation centres over the next several weeks.

Scott expects any proposed changes covering garden suites will be brought forward to council by the end of the year.

B次元官网网址淭he input we receive at these open houses will be critical for developing the potential regulations so weB次元官网网址檙e looking to really gather a broad range of feedback from the community,B次元官网网址� he said.

For more information about the garden suite study and to sign up for updates, visit .