During this election campaign, the Summerland Review is asking questions of the candidates running for the position of mayor and councillors.
This week’s question:Housing in Summerland is in short supply and is quite expensive. What would you do to address this issue?
Doug Holmes
Mayor
More housing is being built than ever yet people still struggle to get on the housing ladder, or move up or down it.
Summerland has a disproportionate amount of high-end, low-density housing so we need to zone more multi-unit housing that’s attractive to young families and seniors.
Streamlining the approvals process will encourage more rentals, infill, densification, and redevelopment. New vacation rental regulations will help reconnect housing to the local economy and ensure residential neighborhoods are kept residential.
For people in core housing need, we need to work with the province and feds and facilitate partnerships between BC Housing, developers, and non-profit housing providers. We can’t have local groups competing against each other for limited funding; we need everyone working together. More details: dougholmes.com
Chuck Pinnell
Mayor
The housing market is already turning over; soon the rental market will reflect that with more and more units available. The rental numbers aclimbing already.
I will look at the costs of licenses and regulation the city imposes, and see where that function may be a barrier to allowing for more rentals. I would set a goal for building permits to be completed and approved within a 30-day period, so developers are not delayed by needless procedures and slow responses.
Richard Barkwill
Councillor
I supported the Process Improvement Committee to find and address bottle necks in the subdivision and permitting process which helps expedite the construction of new homes.
Increased land availability is essential for more housing. The solar project area was a prime location for housing development and very valuable to the district. Now the housing problem is even more acute. I support using the rest of available land in that area for housing which will make it cost effective to provide sewer to Deer Ridge and subsequently to undeveloped land west of Deer Ridge, thus preventing leapfrog development.
Zoning changes to increase density can also provide more housing units. There are opportunities in areas of town, particularly downtown, to increase density. The area zoned Residential Single Detached Intensive could also be expanded.
Brad Besler
Councillor
I will do a number of things. I will review district-owned properties and see if there are any that would be suitable for multi-housing developments. I will contact the provincial and federal governments to secure funding and grants for additional housing in Summerland.
I will work with development services to increase infill opportunities for property owners. And I will listen to the residents of Summerland on their ideas regarding this issue. Summerland needs more affordable housing for residents and I will work tirelessly to achieve this.
Adrienne Betts
Councillor
Housing is a complex question that has many sources well outside of our town. I am willing to evaluate as many options as possible to help address the housing realities here in Summerland.
Peter Bognar
Councillor
Support federal and provincial initiatives and ease transfers.
Toni Boot
Councillor
There are hundreds of housing units under construction in Summerland: supply is only one factor contributing to the high cost of housing.
I will continue to address this issue to ensure current and future residents have attainable housing options in Summerland so that we can support the Downtown Neighbourhood Action Plan, local businesses, and schools. Development staff have improved their approval processes and Council has approved bylaws that allow infill, carriage homes, mixed housing, and regulate short-term rentals.
The proposed eco-village provides a good opportunity to create partnerships on a mixed housing project that is sustainable and respects cultural and recreational uses.
Doug Loepp
Councillor
We have to focus on building communities with smaller homes as opposed to luxury homes.
Encouraging developers to build small home communities will allow many first time home buyers to get into the market.
As home prices come down, another focus should be placed on rent control and encourage homeowners to build suites to rent in their homes.
Blair Parker
Councillor
Housing costs are driven mostly by circumstances out of our control. Making it easier for developers is certainly a huge step in the right direction.
We need a subdivision servicing bylaw and incentives that attract developers to build a reasonable housing scheme, so the average family in Summerland can afford to buy a house, and not worry about being in debt at retirement age. Additionally secondary suites can provide a lot of housing at affordable pricing. If we can come to a consensus at the council table on the framework for allowable criteria that makes sense for our community, through public consultation, then we will be realizing our citizen’s best interests. Land is also a primary driver in housing costs, so we need to build houses on suitable property, and put solar panels and utilities on capped off landfill cells and land that is unsuitable for residential development.
Doug Patan
Councillor
The District of Summerland on its own does not have the resources to take on a project of such magnitude that could offer attainable housing options for those looking to rent or purchase. We do have options, and I have listed three below.
One option is we can partner and offer support with our local non-profits and places of worship in their pursuit of Federal and Provincial funding for rental units in the community.
A second option is we work with our developers and building community to proceed with projects currently approved by council but not yet initiated.
The third option is to take a second look at how existing zoning of residential lots as it pertains to 2 lot subdivisions, as current fees may be impacting those citizens enquiring on the process.
Janet Peake
Councillor
I have been working, with other organizations, to bring in a project of attainable/affordable housing in Summerland with 50 or 60 units to the downtown core, with applications to BC housing for funding to see it developed. The Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre would look to relocate to this building. The present council and staff have been approached for ways of supporting such a project and their responses have been very positive.
I have long supported property owners building out where possible on their own properties to build carriage houses. These provide living space for our workforce and income for the homeowner.
The opportunity to densify the downtown and encourage renewal of our retail commercial buildings would be to pass policy to allow third stories in a stepped back profile so we don’t shadow the streets but allow a third floor apartment to be built, creating more housing.
More people living in the downtown area brings foot traffic, boosts the economy and is shown to reduce crime. An inviting walkable town will continue to enhance the friendliness of Summerland.
The lands out on Cartwright should be developed for housing and bringing the water and sewer system up for those homes would possibly allowing a developer to come forward in the Deer Ridge area to create a second subdivision. There was a 75-lot subdivision brought forward previously.
Nick Redding
Councillor
I think that if we would develop a program that helps and incentivises builders and homeowners to build affordable housing within the town, that would help address this issue.
For example, interest free loans or tax exemption for a period of time. We also need to simplify the process to be able to build (houses, suites, carriage houses) and work with local builders. I feel there should be a screening process on big money companies that come to build in our town with no interest except to make money. I would also hire staff dedicated to building inspections and building permits.
Mark Smed
Councillor
There are a lot of challenges ahead of us with land use. The District of Summerland should not be involved in providing housing solutions or competing with local interests. Governments should only operate within the scope of their responsibilities. I hope we can work with leaders in the community, both non-profits, private citizens, and businesses to provide affordable housing. We can offer tax incentives, zoning changes and in some cases, develop infrastructure.
Where council can make the biggest impact is by completing recommendations. The Cartwright Avenue arterial roadwork towards Garnet Valley is designated in the Official Community Plan and currently sits in limbo. A capitol plan of twinning our reservoir was never completed. We also need to review the Transportation Master Plan (2007) and the Agricultural Plan (2008). Both are critically important to our community if we are to forge ahead with development.
About 30 per cent of Summerland is designated as agriculture which brings tremendous benefits and makes our community very attractive. We need to expand our land base, designate Cartwright Mountain as a park and look to improving our community beyond the current solution of increasing densities.
Erin Trainer
Councillor
I’ll continue to advocate for a variety of housing options in Summerland. For example, we need more townhouses and multi-family units that first-time buyers can afford. We can do this at council by approving rezoning applications for higher-density developments where appropriate. The townhouses at the south end of Trout Creek and the recent approval of 40 new townhouses on Jubilee Road are two examples.
I’ll also continue to support infill including the construction of carriage houses and secondary suites. Finally, I’ll continue to partner with BC Housing and non-profits to facilitate affordable and subsidized housing projects for low-income seniors, families and single people.
Marty Van Alphen
Councillor
Housing has been identified as a problem for years and is not new to this election. Council needs to assist in extending sewer to the Eco Village site and beyond to Deer Ridge. This would enable larger lots to subdivide and has the potential of adding carriage homes.
The land beyond Deer Ridge would also become accessible for development. The council needs to look at municipally owned land with the view of developing partnerships with BC Housing and organizations such as One Sky or Turning Points for an “Obtainable Housing” option. Also, the council needs to continue to encourage infill and approve higher buildings in the downtown core.
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