Seniors are often the glue that keep families together. With those at the lower end of the age spectrum, they bind generations in residential communities.
That was the overriding theme at a public hearing held on Monday night for a bylaw amendment to remove age restrictions in the Jericho Sub-Neighbourhood Plan.
Leo Mitrunen had initially envisaged a geared to seniors on 17 acres he owns in the 7700 block of 200 Street. However, feedback he received from potential lenders, joint venture partners and others showed that the adults-only/seniors market is too restrictive.
Mitrunen is still interested in dedicating some housing to seniors and speakers at the hearing encouraged him to do so, with the proviso that the Safer Homes Standards and Universal Designs are implemented.
These contain 19 points that reduce hazards and help people to grow old while living independently in their homes.
They include bath and shower controls that are easier to reach, positioning light switches 42 inches from the floor and in more convenient locations, such as beside a toilet.
But the most important aspect for speakers was the benefit that comes from generations living together.
Twelve-year-old Kyro Plaviuk sang the praises of WindSong Cohousing, a residential community of 34 homes in Walnut Grove.
鈥淚t really benefits everyone,鈥� said Kyro. 鈥淭here is intergenerational social interaction. People get together and get to know each other.鈥�
He especially likes the communal dining room where residents meet. There are many young children at WindSong 鈥渁nd all of them get along very nicely.鈥�
Aldergrove resident Marilyn Fischer currently lives with her husband in a ground floor suite of a family member鈥檚 home. While they like being near their children and grandchildren, it鈥檚 time to move on, but not to a facility with age restrictions.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not interested in moving into a retirement community. It feels like a resort for old people,鈥� Fischer told council.
Any aging in place co-housing (such as WindSong) should be part of mixed generational housing, she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more inclusive, more stimulating and less stigmatizing.鈥�
Al Peterson of CARP, formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, said that he is disappointed with the age restriction removal, but sees a compromise if the development is made to comply with Safer Homes Standards and Universal Designs.
In fact, Peterson said, all developments should be required to adopt those codes for a 鈥渟ignificant鈥� percentage of units.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine our community without seniors,鈥� said Lauren Plaviuk, Kyro鈥檚 mother.
Older people act as mentors, handing down their knowledge and sharing their skills, she added.
Michael Sanderson, Mitrunen鈥檚 agent, said that Mitrunen is committed to the codes.
Asked by Councillor Kim Richter what guarantee can be given that any units designated for seniors won鈥檛 be flipped for market housing, Sanderson replied that Mitrunen is strongly committed to housing for seniors.
Should council approve the community plan amendment to remove the age restrictions, a rezoning application would require a public hearing.
