“The biggest problem in Jasper is we need staff housing for seasonal purposes,” said Gerry Levasseur of Gerald Developments Ltd.
He suggests a building of 30-40 units that are either bachelor suites or California suites, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and a shared kitchen and living area.
Secure bike storage was identified as a “must have”. Otherwise, as Levasseur pointed out, people feel it’s safer to bring their expensive bikes inside their units.
Another suggestion was to build a staff housing complex and operate it like a hotel where individuals can stay if they are working for either the business that owns the building or a business that rents that particular unit in the building. But, the individual has to move out if they no longer work for the company that owns or rents the unit.
While seasonal staff housing is an undeniable issue, not every business identifies it as a primary need. Mount Robson Inn owner and JCHC director Chad Gulevich said he has seasonal housing, but doesn’t have anything available for couples or families.
What JCHC heard from the March meeting that was echoed again during last week’s meeting was that there’s a need for small 400-600 square foot bachelor-style units for residents who no longer want a roommate, but do not wish to purchase a home.
There’s even a possibility of developing a “mixed” building where some units are rented and some are owned, said Cathy Jenkins, realty and municipal manager for Parks Canada.
Having a building like this helps it from becoming unnecessarily damaged and rundown because “owners have an investment they want to see maintained. They’re here to help enforce apartment rules.”
Given the popularity of the four successful housing co-ops in town, there’s a clear demand for perpetually affordable housing. More options are needed for year-round staff who have been in town for a few years, but cannot afford to purchase a $500,000 house.
Cam Jenkins, owner of Coldwell Banker Jasper-Hinton Realty, voiced his concern over the creation of an “echo population” in Jasper where people are coming and going because there isn’t housing available to suit their needs.
“I’m terrified for this community in 15-20 years because the status quo is not working.”
Housing development, the JCHC and Parks Canada: who does what?
Parks Canada has four parcels of land that are ready to be released for residential development, and there are additional underdeveloped areas around town where there is potential for infill.
In order to make residential development a reality, the first step is to form a committee of people with the same housing vision. Next, “it’s important to come up with a development plan,” said Leanne Pelletier, JCHC administrative officer.
“You don’t have to be a developer, like an architect, you can be an individual or group of citizens who are looking for a similar type of housing and you can get together and form an organized committee and go to Parks Canada with a development plan.”
The JCHC is not a funding entity, but can help outside of providing funding and building. “We can introduce citizens to potential developers [or partners], we can direct them to check out the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation website, there’s funding available there sometimes, and we can help out with guarantees.”
Those interested in developing residential land should also pay a visit to Cathy Jenkins at Parks, so that she can provide you with land use directives for the property you are interested in. Land use guidelines dictate what you can and cannot build on a property.
“They would come back with a proposal, I would consult with JCHC and ask if they think this development proposal is a good fit for Jasper,” said Jenkins.
If the JCHC agreed that the proposal is a good fit, a release fee for the land would be discussed.
Every proposal will be looked at on its own merit, she adds.
Once the land release fee is decided, “they have to submit a true development proposal with more detail and then they would be in the development review process.”
The JCHC and Parks are available to assist with the process of residential development where they can and welcome any new ideas.
For more information on the JCHC and its mandate, visit www.jasper-alberta.com/default.aspx?pageid=404.
