Published Mar 31, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 4 minute readA housing development is being proposed for Jarvis Street in Yarmouth. The application includes a proposal for 30 rental units. TINA COMEAUAnother housing development is being proposed for the Town of Yarmouth – this one in the south part of the town.An open house about a proposed Jarvis Street development project was recently hosted by the town.These open houses are becoming commonplace as part of development agreement applications. They’re held as a first means for the public to gather information about projects. It also helps the town’s planning office to get an early sense about how the public feels about proposed developments.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt was a small size crowd at the open house, held on an evening when freezing rain was part of the forecast. But those who attended were keen to learn more.People wondered about the timeframe of the project.They asked about the rent and whether it would be affordable housing, market rent, or a mixture. It was stated this hasn’t been fully determined yet, although the town’s planner said based on discussions with the landowner, they may fall more on the market side.People even asked if U.S. tariffs would impact the construction.The proposed development would be across the street from where some four-plex and six-plex housing units are currently located.The application will likely proceed as a 30-unit, two-story development. The applicant is Delmar Construction and Nick Cottreau. They are not the landowner, who, it was said, has contracted their services to aid the process.In addition to the development agreement, rezoning would be required, as the current zoning only allows for up to an eight-unit building.Another important issue to be considered is rainwater management.Article content Town planner Martin Beck speaks at an open house relating to a housing development proposed for Jarvis Street in the Town of Yarmouth. TINA COMEAU“As you may know Yarmouth, as a whole, has a shortage of housing,” said town planner Martin Beck, particularly what he referred to as “quality housing.”“Anytime we get a proposal for a new project, it’s not just about adding the net increase in units, it’s really about providing folks options to live in – in conditions that are more reflective of their hope and desires and aspirations,” Beck said.At the March 24 open house it was stated the makeup of individual apartment sizes (ie: one bedrooms, two bedrooms, etc.) had not yet been determined. The landowner has hired an architect to help with the development’s design. It was suggested that ‘concept’ photos included with the application will likely look different from the finished product.The intention is for this to be a net-zero energy project that will include solar panels. The goal is that the building will produce as much energy as it consumes over a 12-month period.“So whoever gets to rent there, chances are that their bill will be very low,” Beck said.Going back to the timeline, Nick Cottreau said the landowner is “extremely anxious” to get going on the project, but there are timelines to deal with.Article content“First off, we’ve got this development agreement underway. Then we’ve got to get plans underway. Then a building permit (to be able to) start construction,” Cottreau said. “If all that gets completed by late fall, it’s unlikely there will any significant work until (next) spring.”Meanwhile, there will be more opportunities for public input.The application will go to the town’s Planning Advisory Committee for discussion. A public participation meeting will happen at that level. Then it will go to town council with recommendations. It’s at the town council level that a public hearing is held, and where a final decision is made.Beck said the needed steps are a relatively fast process that will unfold over two to three months. The steps to come in a housing development agreement for Jarvis Street in Yarmouth. TINA COMEAUThere has been increased interest in creating housing developments in the town.Construction of an affordable housing development by the Affordable Housing Society of Nova Scotia is underway on Shaw Avenue.A multi-building housing development on Water Street (where part of the old cotton mill once stood) has received development agreement approval.Article contentAn application has been made for a multi-building housing development on Pleasant Street.A development agreement has been approved for a development proposed for land off of Myrtle Street that would include the construction of up to 42 single detached homes. During the application process it was stated construction of the homes would be a gradual process, with the developer anticipating the construction of two to four homes per year. Progress is being made on a 24-unit multi-unit, affordable housing residential development on Shaw Avenue in Yarmouth. This development is being undertaken by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia. TINA COMEAUAt the Jarvis Street application open house, G. Brar, a local mortgage consultant, offered this observation about the level of housing development proposals and applications before the town.“I think people are being more educated on the housing crisis here and about building housing,” she said.“I know from my business, people are now understanding the process and because the town is also fast-tracking, I think it’s also posed a lot more interest in doing it,” Brar said. “We have a lot of landowners here, so they’re thinking, what are they going to do with their asset to change that asset into something that will benefit them and benefit the community.”Article contentShe also said whereas before people seemed to be waiting on others to tackle housing developments, now people are becoming more interested in tackling housing themselves.There are also financial incentives that are aimed to encourage and support construction projects. For instance, last fall the province removed the HST provincial portion from new multi-unit apartment building construction projects. Premier Tim Houston said the province would reassess the situation after two years.The Town of Yarmouth was also recently awarded $2,323,150 in federal funding under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program to initiate housing action plans in the town.Article content
30 rental units included in Yarmouth housing development application
