As Canadian cities grapple with the challenges of affordable housing, one tool that is gaining attention is land severance. Land severance, also known as lot splitting or subdivision, is the process of dividing a single property into two or more smaller parcels. By allowing property owners to create new lots, land severance can help to increase the supply of affordable housing in urban areas.
Infill Development and Gentle Density Land severance is often used to enable infill development, which is the process of building new housing units on underutilized land within existing urban areas. By dividing larger lots into smaller parcels, property owners can create new opportunities for gentle density, such as duplexes, triplexes, or townhouses. This type of development can help to increase the supply of affordable housing while maintaining the character and scale of existing neighborhoods.
Zoning Regulations and Approval Process One of the challenges of land severance is navigating the zoning regulations and approval process in each municipality. Property owners must comply with minimum lot sizes, setbacks, and other requirements to obtain approval for a severance. This process can be time-consuming and complex, which is why it's important to work with experienced professionals who understand the local regulations and can guide the project through the approval process.
Opportunities for Investors and Developers For investors and developers, land severance can offer new opportunities to create affordable housing in urban areas. By purchasing larger properties and dividing them into smaller parcels, developers can create multiple housing units that are more affordable than traditional single-family homes. This can be especially attractive in areas with high land costs and limited supply of affordable housing.
Partnering with Municipalities for Affordable Housing Municipalities can also play a role in encouraging land severance as a tool for affordable housing. By updating zoning regulations to allow for more gentle density and streamlining the approval process for severances, municipalities can create a more favorable environment for infill development. Some municipalities may also offer incentives or partnerships to encourage developers to create affordable housing through land severance.
If you're interested in learning more about land severance and its potential for creating affordable housing in Canadian cities, stay tuned for more posts in our affordable housing series. We'll explore innovative approaches like the Garden Home Program in Toronto and discuss how zoning changes can help to address the housing crisis in Canada.
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