Diverse Housing Opportunities

Smart Growth Principle #4 states: "Create diverse housing opportunities"

Summerland specific question: What type of housing is currently lacking in Summerland?

• No rental apartment style housing
• Encourage flex housing
• Co-op housing
  
  What height restrictions are appropriate for Summerland?
• Four stories
• Buildings must suit the terrain protect views
• Height depends on design and location

To this list I would add housing that is specifically designed for single adults/small families. Today we have many people of 25 - 30 who are still unmarried, and we also have many people who were married but are divorced and living alone again (or with a child). In Europe developers serve this large market by building and selling studio and one bedroom units of 400 to 600 sq.ft., commonly in 2 storey blocks of 8 units each. Each building could easily be mistaken for one very large house (until you notice the number of front doors!). The small size keeps prices low, utility and taxes to a minimum, and means minimal housework for young guys (maybe the best advantage of all).

Japan goes further and their starter units are smaller still, but the quality is high.