Daajing Giids appears to have enough land within its existing boundaries to meet projected housing needs for decades, according to a new Complete Communities Assessment going before council Sept. 9.
The assessment estimates the Village will need about 220 additional housing units over the next 20 years, but identifies potential capacity for up to 794 units on existing lots considered suitable for development.
The report does not predict that all of those units will be built. Instead, it looks at where development could potentially occur based on available land, existing lots, infrastructure and other planning factors.
The assessment also found that future growth is likely to be uneven across the community.
It identifies the Oceanview Drive corridor as the most infrastructure-ready area, with the strongest available capacity for sanitary sewer, stormwater management and water services.
The report also points to gaps in how easily residents can reach daily needs. The central part of Daajing Giids has the strongest access to services, while the west side has relatively high population density but only moderate access. Rural residential areas closer to Skidegate Landing were identified as having lower access to daily needs.
A community survey included in the assessment found 69 per cent of respondents said they were able to meet most of their shopping needs in Daajing Giids. Of those who shopped elsewhere, Skidegate, online shopping and off-island trips were among the most common alternatives.
When asked to rank daily needs, respondents placed the grocery store, hospital and pharmacy at the top.
The assessment also estimates demand for an additional 31,490 square feet of retail space in Daajing Giids, suggesting room for more local commercial development if population and demand grow.
Local developers interviewed for the report identified familiar barriers to building on Haida Gwaii, including rising property values, limited housing supply, labour shortages, high construction costs, freight delays, financing challenges and a shortage of building inspectors.
Council is scheduled to consider adopting the Complete Communities Assessment at its Sept. 9 meeting.