Tecumseh rejects four units, risks $3.2 million in federal funding
Council narrowly voted against a motion Tuesday that would have seen three additional residential units (ARU) allowed on a single lot with certain restrictions.
It ended more than a year of contentious discussions over the matter, which was tied to nearly $4.4 million pledged to the town in March 2024 through the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
'It's maybe not a clear understanding in terms of what … HAF is really all about,' said Gary McNamara, the mayor of Tecumseh, who voted in favour of the proposal.
Requirements for municipalities to permit fourplexes as-of-right became a condition of HAF funding. Under provincial legislation, applicable homes can already create two ARUs.
McNamara said the initiative was intended to create more affordability and options in the housing market.
While about $1.1 million of the funding has already been spent, the remainder is now at risk of being clawed back. The remaining $3.2 million equates to a 4.15 per cent tax levy hike, according to a staff report.
The town plans to write a letter to the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation, the administrator of the HAF, and inform them of council's decision.
'It's in their hands,' McNamara said.
Throughout the process, residents have openly voiced opposition to four units, largely due to fears over how it would impact the town's infrastructure and character. On Tuesday, one resident abruptly left council chambers after a tense exchange with McNamara.
Joe Bachetti, Teucmseh's deputy mayor, told council the attached funding should not 'outweigh' the concerns of residents.
'This is wrong and it's not what the residents are telling me they want to see, and it's certainly not my vision for the future of Tecumseh 10 or 20 years from now,' said Bachetti.
The vote to move forward with four units failed 3-4, with Bachetti, and councillors James Dorner, Rick Tonial, and Tania Jobin voting against.
Previously, the City of Windsor's application for tens of millions through HAF was rejected after city council voted against the permitting of fourplexes across the city.
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