A report is recommending Saanich study garden suites B次元官网网址� also known as granny suites or carriages houses B次元官网网址� as a permanent form of rental housing to deal with the need for more . But the same report is also recommending against allowing secondary suites and garden suites on the same lot.

B次元官网网址淕arden suites are an opportunity to add to the choice and supply of permanent rental housing within the District of SaanichB次元官网网址檚 established single family neighbourhoods,B次元官网网址� said Pam Hartling, planner, in a memo to council. B次元官网网址淭hey also require careful consideration to ensure compatibility with the neighbourhood context.B次元官网网址�

Garden suites are detached dwellings found in backyards of single-family homes. While they tend to be at the B次元官网网址渉igher end of the housing affordability spectrum,B次元官网网址� they expand B次元官网网址渉ousing choice, offer potential for ground-oriented family housing within established neighbourhoods, and provide other social benefits such as the opportunity to age-in-place,B次元官网网址� said Hartling.

Saanich does not currently permit such suites, but two surveys found some but not conclusive levels of support, hence the study into whether they could become a permanent form of rental housing within the Urban Containment Boundary only.

Coun. Fred Haynes in collaboration with Coun. Leif Wergeland.

B次元官网网址淭he lack of available suites presents a crisis for the families and individuals seeking housing opportunities in Saanich,B次元官网网址� Haynes said at the time in 2016. B次元官网网址淭he barriers are created by tight supply. Enabling detached suites can help. The need for rental housing requires us to act now.B次元官网网址�

The proposed study comes with a proviso. B次元官网网址淭he scope of the work is to develop proposed standards for detached garden suites as an alternative to secondary suites (one or the other, but not both) on single family lots,B次元官网网址� said Hartling.

Saanich has allowed secondary suites by building permit on the majority of single family lots within the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) since 2014, said Hartling, adding council could direct staff to explore allowing both a secondary suite and a garden suite on the same lot.

B次元官网网址淭he advantage of this approach is that it could result in a greater number of dwelling units,B次元官网网址� said Hartling. B次元官网网址淭he drawback is that it could result in considerable neighbourhood impact and privacy concerns. Staff do not advise this at this time. It could be revisited in the future.B次元官网网址�

The recommended study would come with a cost of $45,000 and is currently not within the districtB次元官网网址檚 2017 financial budget.

HartlingB次元官网网址檚 memo recommends the funding to come from SaanichB次元官网网址檚 strategic initiative contingency fund. Council will consider the memo at its next meeting Sept. 11.

If Saanich were to legalize garden suites, it would follow several B.C. communities, including Victoria.