Tecumseh holds public meeting to answer zoning-related questions

Ahead of the regular council meeting Tuesday night, Tecumseh council welcomed residents for an open meeting surrounding the Housing Accelerator Fund.

A public meeting in Tecumseh Tuesday evening looked to answer questions about zoning changes meant to satisfy the housing accelerator fund program, aiming to get more housing built in the town.

It was standing room only, with more than a dozen residents speaking against the prospect of fourplexes.

Residents voiced concerns over the impact to the town’s identity, property assessments, and neighbourhoods.

Approval of four-units by right was a key condition for federal housing cash.

Ottawa has announced over $4 million for Tecumseh as part of the program to fast track 137 new housing units over three years.

Council is expected to vote on the zoning changes in the coming months.

“Its not like you can say I’m just going to put them wherever and however, we’re not going to do that because it doesn’t make any sense. So you’ve go to make sure you can sustain it and support it as you move forward, and a lot of the housing we’re talking about this is not going to happen overnight. This is five, 10, 15 years down the road,” said Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.