Some Cochrane, Ont., residents skeptical of $10 lot sale plan

The Town of Cochrane plans to roll out its $10-lot program in a month or two.

Mayor Peter Polities said while final details are currently being worked out, thousands of people are waiting for an update.

"We're defining that process now," Politis said.

"That's the CFP that we're putting in place and we'll launch in the next month or so."

The mayor said that in the past few years, parcels of land have been earmarked for hundreds of new homes. Some land is owned by the municipality while other areas are owned by developers.

Politis said homebuilders will have to have the means to produce a home in a couple of years.

He said people will be moving to the region for many different reasons, but mostly to work in the mining industry.

Cochrane is offering incentives to attract new residents and one of them is selling lots for $10.

"You can't even buy a sub for $10, quite frankly, but you can buy a plot of land in Cochrane," Politis said.

"We're excited by that, you know, and when we started this direction about a year ago -- and we've been spending the year going through the regulatory process -- the feedback has been amazing. You know, we've got well over 4,000 people on the list that are looking for more insight and direction."

The Town of Cochrane and some developers own land within the municipal boundaries that are ready for development and are hoping to attract new residents with low-cost lots. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

One of the areas is near a seniors residence. There’s a large section behind a high school and another parcel of land is behind the Canadian Tire, just off Highway 11.

While the plan has attracted a lot of attention, some people in the community who spoke with CTV News said they are not yet sold on it and need more information.

"You need to see where they are, where they're going to be available, and to who they're going to be available to," said Cochrane resident Sylvain Genier.

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"If it was only $10, I know I have a son that would be more than willing to buy a lot -- but it's so many unanswered questions."

Others suggested officials should be looking after current residents first.

"It's not a good thing," said Tom Srigley, another Cochrane resident.

"They can't even look after the streets here in this town right now. What are they going to do with a whole bunch more people?"

Politis said for those who think this is a gimmick, nothing will change if council doesn’t try a new approach.

"The public's best interest right now is, as identified in the last election, (that) one of the key priorities is housing so we are trying to be the difference in the world that we're seeking and we're looking for creative ways to do that," he said.

Politis said the way to get more provincial investment to build up health and education services. And one way to do that is for the town to increase its population first, which he said right now is around 6,000 people.