Saanich councillors are hoping their approval of five new houses in Cordova Bay will encourage other projects to embrace higher standards for energy-efficient houses.
Councillors approved the necessary rezoning to replace a 1952 single-family house on a one-acre lot, 5197 Del Monte Ave., with five new houses, all built to standards that make them so well insulated and energy efficient that they are characterized as “passive” in their energy requirements. “I really would like to see this type of development become more standard in Saanich,” said Coun. Dean Murdock.
Developer Nino Barbon of Beespot said the houses will be built with systems that recover and recycle heat, and they will use 70 per cent less energy than standard homes.
The houses will have solar panels to generate electricity, and there will be net-zero energy consumption from the power grid.
Barbon said the green construction methods, efficient insulation and solar panels are expected to add eight to 10 per cent to construction costs.
He said the Del Monte homes will come with secondary suites, providing a mortgage-helper option.
Councillors noted that the secondary suites will potentially turn the five new houses into 10 new households, making the plan well worth support.
“If we are serious about tackling the lack of housing we need to provide a little bit more,” said Coun. Colin Plant.
Some councillors, however, said the location of the five homes, the northern edge of Cordova Bay far from amenities and bus stops, meant any advantages from the energy efficient homes would be offset by residents being forced to use cars.
Barbon said he hopes to begin construction on the first of the new houses in the spring.
Previous owners had made attempts to develop the property — with a proposal for three houses in 2013 and four in 2014.
