Carbonear council wants Crocker’s ear to talk about modular homes
Carbonear council is looking for a meeting with its MHA to talk about any legislative changes that might be needed to make construction of prefab modular homes in the community easier from a regulatory perspective.
Councillor Danielle Doyle raised the subject at the June 11 meeting of council.
Doyle cited a company called Smart Home Solutions, which she said wants to bring in modules built elsewhere for assembly in Carbonear for potential customers.
Doyle said the company is marketing the homes throughout the province, not just Carbonear. But she cautioned that permitting such construction is not so simple.
“There's a number of requirements that they require of us," said Doyle, "and, reciprocally, we require of them. There are some legislative pieces that would hold up our involvement with this project right now."
Doyle said the company is in discussions with the Province to help Carbonear overcome the legislative obstacles hindering development of modular homes in the community. Council plans to raise the topic with Carbonear – Trinity – Bay de Verde MHA and cabinet minister Steve Crocker. Doyle said council plans to explain to him how the development of modular homes would address the housing shortage not only in Carbonear, but across Newfoundland.
Doyle went on to address another development issue at the meeting, one she brings up periodically; namely a reminder to residents to get a permit before they start putting up sheds, fences or other buildings.
The councillor said the Town’s municipal enforcement officer has told council that not everyone has been heeding the warnings. In some cases, they are finding out after the fact that their greenhouses and other structures haven’t met the Town’s development regulations.
“So just another friendly reminder, please plan ahead and consult with the Town before you buy your material," Doyle advised, "because it will save the Town and you a lot of time and money.”
Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Shoreline News
