After reviewing proposals from two different developers for a new housing project in Ste. Agathe, Ritchot council made their decision on February 18.
Schinkel Properties was awarded the deal pending a condition that a mutually beneficial development agreement can be reached. If not, council has instructed the RM’s administration to proceed with negotiations with the second developer, NuVision Design.
Council first sent a call out to developers for expressions of interest last October. The goal was to entertain options for affordable housing units to be constructed on 1.29 acres of RM-owned land, bordered by Samoiset Avenue to the east and Highway 75 to the west.
“The expression of interest process included five criteria by which applications would be scored,” says Ryan Faucher, Ritchot’s economic development officer. “Schinkel’s proposal scored highest in commitment for number of units, affordability, and timeframe to be completed.”
He adds that the development agreement council is seeking will speak to fencing requirements, street parking, and items of concern raised by locals.
“Should the RM administration and Schinkel come to a mutually agreed development plan, this will be brought back to council for final approval at a future date,” says Faucher. “The land will not be sold or transferred until a development agreement is completed and approved by council.”
Through this negotiation process, council will need to determine whether the land will be sold to the developer or awarded to them at no cost.
In presentations made at council’s January 6 public meeting, representatives from both companies requested that the RM forfeit the land to the developer in an effort to make affordable housing options more feasible.
As council prepared to vote for the developer of choice, Councillor Joel Lemoine voiced his concerns as a representative of the residents of Ste. Agathe.
“The process was good,” Lemoine told council. “I understand that side of it. I surveyed the community… the street residents. We wanted a 55-plus [development], garages and parking off the streets. We lost the potential to put up a secondary condo unit somewhere else for 55-plus. Based on this mathematical equation, I can see why [Schinkel was chosen], but I think I’m going to go in favour of what the residents are looking for.”
In the end, all but Lemoine voted in favour of accepting Schinkel’s proposal.
The Options
The two proposals council was given were as different as the developers themselves.
Alan Klippenstein of Schinkel Properties proposed the development of 16 three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex homes designed with families in mind. Each of the 1,400-square-foot homes would be created with an identical layout, but with no parking garages.
All the units would be rentals, with about one-third offered at affordable rates as established by CMHC.
Once started, the project would take around 15 months to complete.
“We’re willing to bet $4.7 million that this project will work,” Klippenstein told council. “We think that the lower return [on investment] will be offset by long-term tenants that want to stay here and raise their family.”
The second proposal, from NuVision Design, came from JeanClaude Gratton, who has lived with his wife in Ste. Agathe for many years. They are landlords both inside and outside the community.
Gratton made his pitch to introduce nine mobility-friendly homes on this tract of land, perfect for aging couples or two young adults just starting out.
The detached 1,400-square-foot units would offer two primary bedrooms, each with its own three-piece ensuite and a double attached garage. Further, Gratton would build a sound barrier wall between the homes and Highway 75.
“These lots [are within] walking distance to the church, arena, post office, pharmacy, healthcare, and convenience stores, [which] makes it ideal for seniors,” Gratton told council.