Okotoks seniors' home residents don't want tiny home village built in their backyard

Residents of a southern Albertaretirement home worry a proposed eco-friendlycommunity of tiny homes will dramatically sink their property values if it's built next door.

Dozens of people raised concerns at an information session Thursday about the eco-village, a collaboration between the Town of Okotoks and Vagabond Tiny Homes.

The 32-home village would include affordable housing, regular rental units, and short-term vacation rentals intermixed throughout the site, and shared spaces for community members to come together, including a commercial kitchen, dining space, workspaces and storage lockers. There would also be outdoor garden plots, a year-round greenhouse and green spaces for public events.

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Fifteen per cent homes will be built with wheelchair accessibility in mind, and 15 per cent will be allocated for Indigenous renters.

Park Haven Villas retirement home resident Andrew Sitter said he has no problems with the proposal, other than its location at Kinsmen Park.

His home backs on to the site, which is currently a park, designated as a municipal reserve space.

"It has merits, just not here," he said.

The 84-year-old has initiated a petition with signatures from 190 nearby residents opposing the development. He said realtors have told him, and others at his seniors home, that the development drops their property values by $50,000 to $60,000.

He also raised concerns that a bus route will be needed to give the complex access to a grocery store, as there is none nearby.

Town says site is only location that works

But the town says the site is the only one that fits criteria for funding through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

"I was really committed to it, but when we see this kind of overwhelming residential input, you have to balance that local concern with overall community concern, so we will see how it unfolds," said Coun. Ed Sands.

"I'm excited about it. I hope it comes to pass."

The project will come before town council this fall.

An information session will be held for the public on Saturday during Chilifest, where people will have the opportunity to tour a tiny home and share their thoughts about the project.

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With files from Colleen Underwood