The developer moving forward with a five-storey supportive living apartment building at 468 Range Rd. is now proposing a major second phase.

KBC Developments previously entered into a development incentive agreement with the city for the 84-unit, supportive living complex, which includes a commercial kitchen and space for other services for residents.

With the recent purchase of an adjacent lot, the company is now proposing a four-storey, independent living complex for seniors to be built behind the supportive living complex.

KBC is asking city council to approve a realignment of the property boundaries for the two lots, and a relaxation of the parking requirements for the supportive living complex.

KBC representative David Borud appeared before council Monday night to explain the requests, and to explain the company was making the requests so late in the day because it had only recently purchased the adjacent lot.

“What we are targeting for this area is a retirement community to provide what is often referred to in the industry as gap housing,” he told council.

Borud explained by having the independent living building next to the supportive housing facility, there is a greater opportunity to age in place. And when the time comes, he said, seniors can move from one to the other with relative ease.

Having the boundary realigned between the two properties would facilitate the location for parking of the supportive living complex while maintaining the desired density, he explained.

Borud said they feel the request for the reduction in parking requirements is adequate and fair, and is the same as what’s currently allowed downtown for seniors’ housing.

Many of the elderly don’t drive, or will not be driving, and the company has looked at the parking requirements of 30 or so facilities for seniors in Alberta, he said.

The supportive housing complex would be located across the road from the Barracks, and just down the street from the Takhini Arena.

Borud explained in an interview that KBC Developments is planning to begin construction of the five-storey apartment in April. The expectation is that the independent living complex would follow in the next year or two, he said.

The administrative report to city council indicates the current parking requirement for the 84 units is one for every two living units, or 41.

The request is to reduce it to 21.

The report notes the Official Community Plan does support a reduction in parking requirements as an incentive for development. It says reductions for seniors’ housing downtown are already allowed.

Coun. Jan Stick emphasized she is in full support of these types of housing options for seniors. But she did raise a concern regarding the reduction in parking stalls.

Stick said she currently lives across from a building for seniors’ housing.

Many of the residents still drive and have vehicles, she noted.

Stick also pointed out there will be kitchen staff at the supportive living facility, along with other staff who will require parking.

Administration is recommending approval of the bylaw to provide the boundary realignment and reduction in parking stalls.

“Adding a variety of housing unit types into neighbourhoods allows for a wider range of choices and promotes variety in demographics and income levels,” says the administrative report to council.

“Adding supportive housing units, such as the proposed project, can allow people to move through the housing continuum, but stay in their local neighbourhood – typically referred to as ‘aging in place.’”

Council is scheduled to vote Monday on first reading of the required bylaw. A public hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 13, with second and third readings scheduled for Feb. 10.