Iqaluit council: it’s R2000 or else on Plateau

Iqaluit city council has opted to take a hard line on tough energy efficiency standards in the next phase of the Plateau subdivision.

Two-thirds of the single-family lots, 23 in total, will have to comply with R2000 building standards, said Michéle Bertol, the city’s planning and lands director.

A further five medium density lots will also have to comply. It’s the first time that townhouses and apartments will have to follow the stricter standards.

“People will want homes, so the contractors will shake themselves and get ready to respond to that demand,” Bertol said in an interview.

Earlier this month, council gave the green light to a $5.7-million expansion of the Plateau, but put off a final decision on the number of R2000 lots.

That’s because councillors thought the original number of energy efficient lots, seven for single-family homes, was too low.

“It’s the way things are going anyway,” said Coun. Mat Knickelbein of the tougher design standards.

Knickelbein voted against the new requirements because he thinks applying R2000 standards on 28 of 53 is too much.

“I was looking for a little bit more moderate of a number,” he said. “But I’m going to stand with council.”

Knickelbein said contractors are split on the standards, which tend to raise the up-front cost of building a home, while saving more money on energy over the long term.

“[Contractors] were talking between $5,000 and $8,000” in increased construction costs, Knickelbein said.

He said the decision may have the biggest impact on people who want to build their own houses, because they’ll have to consult with contractors to make sure they’re meeting building standards.

Bertol said the city will hold information sessions for potential home buyers and training courses for contractors this summer.

Those have been poorly attended in the past, but Bertol hopes there will be more interest this time.

The changes must still be approved at a full council meeting this Tuesday.