b) accommodating an appropriate range and mix of residential (including second units, affordable housing and housing for older persons), employment (including industrial and commercial), institutional (including places of worship, cemeteries, and long-term care homes), recreation, park and open space, and other uses to meet long-term needs;

COMMENT:

The requested ZBA will include residential apartment units replacing vacant commercial units. The City of Windsor has a low vacancy rate for apartment units. The proposed ZBA will allow for the inclusion of 2 new apartment units and allow for the upgrading of the existing 4 units to create a total of 6 residential apartment units.

There is a need for alternative residential units as residential apartment units in the City. Rental apartment housing is a housing alternative to single, detached homes.

The subject building is located within a mixed use neighbourhood that is within walking distance to commercial uses and amenities. These units will meet the needs for rental apartment units within the City.

The units are located on a direct bus route (bus stop at front of building see picture above and Appendix B Bus Route).

c) avoiding development and land use patterns which may cause environmental or public health and safety concerns;

The subject building has existed for over 50 years at this location. There are no negative environmental, public health, or safety concerns with the requested ZBA to allow for the inclusion of an additional 2 apartment units in the existing subject building to maintain the low profile, small scale residential building.

d) avoiding development and land use patterns that would prevent the efficient expansion of settlement areas in those areas which are adjacent or close to settlement areas;