By Erin Knutson

The City of Fernie is on track to preserve the affordable housing goals outlined in its strategic priorities by adopting a property tax exemption bylaw at Fernie’s Oct. 11 council meeting before the election of its new mayor (Nic Milligan) and council members.

A unanimous decision at the Oct. 11 meeting followed information Bryn Burditt, director of finance, provided on the benefits of supporting Bylaw No. 2478 that would prohibit taxation on developments encouraging affordable housing and enhancing the quality of living for Fernie residents.

“Fernie Family Housing Society (FFHS) is working on a project on 13th Street near the school, which will hold 49 long-term unit rentals targeted to singles, seniors, and fixed-income residents,” he said during his presentation.

The 49-unit development will be exempt from paying a taxation fee of $46,000 in municipal taxes, a calculation derived from municipal values from the 2022 taxation year.

Bylaw No. 2478 will apply to the 2023 tax year to aid FFHS, other non-profits, and long-term unit rentals designed to accommodate a broader spectrum of residents who will benefit from access to affordable housing.

“Upon review of this application, staff believes the goals of the FFHS are in alignment both with the OCP, which encourages non-profits, supportive housing groups, developers, senior levels of government and others to develop or facilitate the development of affordable housing,” said a Fernie staff report.

Lead image: Plan of the proposed 13th Street housing project. From City of Fernie council agenda

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