Valley developer one step closer to senior-friendly housing

A Sudbury developer is planning dozens of new homes with in-law suites to meet the demand for seniors housing.

Lifestyle Homes received initial approval from the city Monday night to build on 163 lots in the Valley East area.

Most of those houses will be built with an attached in-law suite, also known as a granny flat.

Company president Joanne Caouette said more and more home buyers are looking for a place for the whole family, including Grandma and Grandpa.

"And that's the reason we're asking for it out here, because it's in high-demand," she said. "We get asked constantly."

City councillors praised the plan as a new type of development, saying it could help ease the seniors housing crunch that has led to overcrowding at Health Sciences North.

Neighbours concerned

But the plans have some residents in the Valley East area of Greater Sudbury concerned.

"My primary concern, along with my neighbours, is the intensification of the development," area resident Ed Ducharme said.

"Nowhere else do I see that in Valley East."

Other residents said they fear streets full of "ugly duplexes," as well as increased traffic.

Nevertheless, city councillors gave the green light to the development. The decision won't be final until voted on at a regular Sudbury city council meeting in the coming weeks.