The St. Albert Housing Society moved into its first office earlier this month, but its search continues to locate land for the low-income families it’s trying to help.
The society needs a parcel of land that’s zoned medium-density R3A — the equivalent of a four-storey apartment complex — but according to chair Stanley Haroun, there’s not much land available that has that designation.
“The challenges are basically related to the lack of this type of zoning that we have in the city,” Haroun said. “We are short of land in general … but very, very few parcels have that kind of designation.”
The society needs the land for the 50-unit rental apartment building it plans to build in St. Albert. The city has approved $1.8 million in funding for the society’s project, but the money hinges on approval of a provincial grant, and that in turn depends on whether the society can secure land in time for the grant proposal.
“The land has to be secured fairly quickly so that we can present the land as an asset that we have in that proposal,” Haroun said. “Without that type of asset … we will not be successful.”
Right now the society is considering four parcels of land that fit the zoning requirements of the project. Next week, letters will go out to the developers to try and secure a deal for the end of June.
According to executive director Doris Vandersteen, the society is flexible on land size as long as it can accommodate the 50-unit building, but it’s important the timing is right.
“We will be working to make sure with the land owners that they are also able to work with us with that kind of time horizon,” said Vandersteen.
But Haroun is concerned that some developers will be apprehensive about selling their land during the recession and would rather wait until prices go up.
“We know that some developers are holding on to their land until the marketplace improves so that they get the best price for their land,” Haroun said.
Jodie Wacko, director of land development for Beaverbrook Developments, thinks the timing is right for the society to secure a deal.
“Now’s the time for them to do it,” said Wacko. “When things have slowed, that’s when labour materials, raw materials, resources are at their cheapest … and you can get a better bang for the public dollar buck, which is what affordable housing is.”
While the society is busy setting up its new office space in Campbell Business Park, both Haroun and Vandersteen remain confident that they can secure a deal that’s as good for the developer as it is for the society.
“There is a commitment from the mayor and council that this money is there to purchase the land with,” said Haroun. “We’d like the owners of those parcels to know that the letter from the mayor is as good as gold.”
