Mixed-use developments and affordable housing

[ijmorlan]

In our local context, affordability of mixed use is going to be more affected by how little area is available to be densified (144/155/Bauer went up, but try imagining any named neighbourhood association hosting even a six storey building, or four, let alone those), how much those same neighbourhoods delay the developments (some research out there on delays estimate thousands of dollars of extra costs for each unit for each month of delay; imagine how much the proposed Alexandrian development has seen its costs go up after years of delays), and how much those same neighbourhoods always cry out for massive parking requirements. These things can realistically add $50-100K+ per unit, which is very much the difference between affordable and luxury on especially the low square footage end.

Excellent point. Housing affordability is another reason why parking minima should be abolished. People can decide for themselves how much parking they are willing to pay for. Of course, adjustments to the street parking rules and increased enforcement will likely be needed in some areas but that is no reason to perpetuate an extremely bad system.