Dear Editor:
I’m one of a small group of Summerland homeowners who dedicated time and energy to organize, fielded a petition and spoke at a Sept. 26 public hearing to oppose a two-lot subdivision our peaceful, convenient neigbourhood. Despite the property not being zoned for subdivision, district staff supported two variance applications, which triggered a public hearing.
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We thank mayor and council for unanimously denying the variances. Approval would have enabled the owner to build three dwellings on a single-family home lot.
We heard the buzz words long-term housing, but once built, carriage houses can easily become short-term rentals. Property owners or investors can live elsewhere and avoid the responsibility of managing vacation rentals simply by hiring a tenant or manager.
Our group was taken aback by a recent rezoning of streets above the downtown core for inclusion in district staff and council’s densification planning.
This appears to be part of a municipally-entrenched agenda that will encourage ongoing monetizing of residential property. It will result in more housing, but will it really be affordable long-term rental housing? Vacation rentals have the proven effect of reducing rentals for residents.
Though theoretically altruistic, densification opens a process for our Official Community Plan to be chipped away one lot at a time in any long-established neighbourhood.
Are we NIMBYs or are we sounding the alarm that your neighbourhood could be next? Perhaps get together with your neighbours to examine zoning maps and planning proposals, question district staff and council and ensure that you’ll be represented by people who value healthy, cohesive neighbourhoods. Let your vote in the Oct. 15 election reflect your wishes.
Pati Hill
Summerland
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