K.C. Jordan, LJI Journalist
Construction of a tiny home community in Fort Coulonge could begin as soon as this summer, thanks to four new bylaws passed by the municipal council in December.
The bylaws, which affect a single parcel of land on Rue Dempsey just south of the Cyclopark PPJ, modify the minimum lot size and dwelling size to accommodate tiny homes, as well as increase the size of the parcel to maximize the number of lots.
Mayor Christine Francoeur said the municipality is waiting for a land surveyor to divide up the parcel of land into smaller lots, but she estimates between 25 and 30 lots will be created.
“Once that’s done, then it’s a go-ahead for people who want to buy a lot or if a developer wants to come in,” she said, adding that they have heard from both developers and individuals who want to build on the lots.
Francoeur said the municipality made these zoning changes to make housing more affordable.
“People are having a hard time building houses because it’s so expensive now. Young couples, they have to borrow so much money. It’s just crazy to build a home. So we figured this would be a perfect starter home,” she said, adding that living in a tiny home has benefits compared to an apartment.
“The square footage is just as big, or even bigger than an apartment, and at least the home belongs to you.”
The municipal sewage system only reaches five of the current lots, so the municipality will need to expand the system to include the tiny home community.
While Francoeur doesn’t know the exact cost yet, she said the municipality is applying for a federal grant that, if successful, would pay for up to half of the costs of the sewer expansion.
“If we don’t get it, we’re still going to do the project, it’s just that it’s going to be coming out of our pockets,” she said.
Francoeur said the council is still debating the cost for a lot, but said they will not be expensive.
“We really want people to buy the lots and build, so we will not be selling them at $50,000, no way,” she said, assuring the lots would be sold for under this amount.
The tiny homes must meet certain specifications as well as the usual requirements for residential buildings. They must not exceed 70 m² of floor space, must have a maximum height of seven metres, and must not have a second floor, though a mezzanine level is permitted. One secondary building on the property is permitted.
Prior to the construction of a tiny home, a layout plan signed by a surveyor must first be submitted to the municipal office that includes the building plan, secondary buildings to be constructed on the lot, as well as parking and driveways.
Charles Gallant, who is a building inspector for several Pontiac municipalities, said the project will help to diversify the village’s housing stock.
“This gives more options than just single-dwelling or apartment buildings within the village of Fort Coulonge,” he said, adding that the bylaw 2024-270 also permits row housing and semi-detached housing.
Gallant said the new tiny home community will also help the municipality regain some of the taxpayers it lost after the floods.
“One thing we need to understand is that in 2019 the municipality of Fort Coulonge lost over 24 houses, so therefore they lost a big part of their tax base also,” he said.
“So the municipality of Fort Coulonge is trying to just find a way to recoup those units that were lost due to flooding.”
Similar projects have been completed in other Quebec municipalities in recent years, including in Dixville and Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships.