Comments on: Laneway house vote today

By: Mat Turner

Mat Turner — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:08:37 +0000

After completing the first laneway house in Vancouver, on the corner of Mcgill and Slocan, all of the numbers are in. A well built, energy efficient, nicely outfitted and designed laneway house will cost 210-245k (depending on size). Nearly 25% of the cost is for permits, fees and servicing.
The Mcgill project is 710 sqft on a 33′ lot and is renting for 1.7k/month.

So Michael, pretty close!

By: michael geller

michael geller — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:06:24 +0000

So, for the record, it’s now October and I’m told that not one laneway house has been approved by the city. This is due in part to issues with BC Hydro who have concerns about potential load demand and have indicated that hook-up costs could therefore range from a couple of thousand dollars to $20,000 in some cases.

On top of this, I am told by an experienced builder currently pricing units that the CITY COSTS including application and permit fees, sewer and water hook-ups, inspections, etc. will likely add approximately $20,000 to $22,000 to costs. So to all the contributors to this post, whether you get your brother to build, or a registered builder, you could be facing up to $40,000 in costs above and beyond the cost of the construction…and this is before we add in designer fees, insurance, etc.

So David M, do you still think I’m pretty far off?

By: Frothingham

Frothingham — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:42:36 +0000

great news … we now can delve into the planning and design stage.

By: chimbros

chimbros — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:12:02 +0000

There will not many can build a laneway house, as there are many vancouver lots are just under 33′. say 32.8 feet (most of them were came from 2 49′ lot and converted into 3 32.8′ lot).

By: Frances Bula

Frances Bula — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:43:52 +0000

Oops, sorry — of course it was approved unanimously and the parking space debate was settled at only one parking spot required.

By: Frothingham

Frothingham — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:07:12 +0000

How did the Vote turn-out?

By: Frothingham

Frothingham — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:33:47 +0000

I fully support basements suites, and i never understood the draconian ill thought out by-law where developers had to FILL IN the basement area to keep SQ FT under a certian amount. DUH! if that is the objective reduce the envelope and don’t penalize or reduce what was PAID for.

And good points made by Geller and others re: Family Benefits to be gained from the Laneway Housing. That’s the way in most of Europa.

(hope Geller runs for Council again)

By: Joe Just Joe

Joe Just Joe — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:18:08 +0000

It wasn’t proposed because the public would not be supportive of a new batch of monster homes. Two smaller homes are more pleasing to a neighborhood then one large house.
If we took your argument to the extreme we could say why not build a highrise that houses 100 units instead of 100 houses surely it would use less energy and be cheaper to do and you’d be right. People wouldn’t want it though.
This is a way to get more people into an area without changing the look and feel of the area and I beleive it’ll show positive results.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:22:01 +0000

Wouldn’t bigger homes with more basement suites be a better solution? It would meet the same density goals, yet it’d be more affordable. Plus, it would likely be less intrusive and still allow for onsite parking. I guess I’m just wondering why this also wasn’t proposed.

By: Michael Geller

Michael Geller — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:10:02 +0000

Kirk, the city has recently amended the RS zoning by-laws to allow builders to create better basement suites…but just one per home. The proposed changes are quite thoughtful, and should result in more suites in newer homes.

I also agree with the comments that laneway housing can help strengthen family living. In UK, Australia and New Zealand, they are generally called ‘granny flats’ since grandparents are often the intended occupants. In Seattle, they are referred to as ‘mother-in-law’ suites. Another way to strengthen a family?