Call them small or call them cozy.
Condo units between 330 and 430 square feet could be coming to Esquimalt – the smallest living spaces proposed for the township within the last decade.
Council examined plans at a committee-of-the-whole meeting Oct. 24 for a modern-looking, 43-unit, four-storey residence at 529 Comerford St., beside Esquimalt’s public safety building.
Council peppered developer Leonard Cole with questions about unit size and his plans for 20 parking spots for 43 units.
He said though the living spaces are small, he does not compromise comfort for space, and feels confident the spaces will appeal to single people and seniors.
“They still have all the luxury of a 1,000-square-foot space,” Cole said, adding that because of their size the units can be purchased at a lower price point, starting at $139,000.
Coun. Lynda Hundleby said she looks forward to hearing from nearby residents, who will be notified about the proposal and invited to speak at a future council meeting.
“It’s the first of its kind and it bears for us to think it through,” she said.
Coun. Bruce McIldoon worried that limited on-site parking would prompt some tenants to buy and sell spots.
“We’re going to have a secondary (non-taxable) market in selling parking spaces,” said McIldoon. “It looks great now. You’ve got to look at it in 10 years. This is a very high-density development.”
Still, council voted in favour of moving the project forward to the next stage, which includes seeking public input.