Dear Editor:
Thank you for facilitating the discussion on laneway houses in our fine city. I too am fully supportive of this initiative for the following reasons:
1. Precedent: It is already occurring in our area. We can learn from the City of Vancouver. I even understand that West Vancouver is voting on this issue. West Vancouver!
2. Densification: It contributes in a measured way to densification, which is an important element in our region's viability.
3. Affordability: It makes it possible for people to live more affordably in one of the highest priced real estate markets in Canada.
4. Increased tax base: It contributes to the tax base in a direct way, offsetting the numerous funding challenges faced by local government.
5. Enhanced community social capital: It makes it possible for people downsizing into a laneway house to maintain their existing community connections, which contributes to their well-being. It also opens up the possibility for extended multi-generational families to have some sense of living close together without resorting to demolition and subsequent construction of one very large extended-family house.
6. Mitigation of a car-based culture: Rather than having other large detached structures on a property dedicated solely to the housing of vehicles, one can have more esthetically pleasing, smaller structures dedicated to the housing of people (and perhaps one car).
7. Variety: it enriches the housing variety and texture of the community, further adding to the charm of our great city.
Mark Fox, New Westminster
