Moving toward a secondary suites pilot project

Public urges Saanich to get on with secondary suite rules
By Roszan Holmen - Saanich News


Relief and a touch of impatience set the tone as Saanichites welcomed a new commitment by their council to get the secondary-suite wheels in motion.

On Monday, council discussd a new five-year strategic plan that included implementing a secondary-suite pilot project before the end of the year.

The news left many wondering if a pilot project is needed.

"The information you'd be given through a pilot is already available through many other sources," said Brenda McBain, a planner with City Spaces who has researched secondary suites.

"On a personal level, I'm almost an empty-nester," McBain said. "Part of our retirement plan, living in a home that was built to accommodate five or more, would be the opportunity to accommodate a student."

Ian Graeme, president of the Friends of Bowker Creek, also questioned the need for a pilot. The City of Victoria has one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in Canada and the situation will only get worse given the economic downturn, he added. "This is an enormous issue (that) needs immediate and decisive action."

"We really don’t think we need a pilot project," echoed Barbara Meek, speaking on behalf of the Strawberry Vale Residents' Assocation. "A pilot project is aimed at one particular segment of the community and we have a very diverse community."

Sheila Critch of the Camosun Community Association, however, had a different take on the matter.

Given that Saanich is laying out the rules of the game, her association decided to play along by being the first to come forward with a formal request to be the pilot neighbourhood.

"Our community is stepping up to the plate. We’ve done our homework," she announced Monday night.

The neighbourhood surrounds Camosun college's Lansdowne campus and is likely already home to many students in illegal suites.

Although Gordon Head is in a similar situation, given its proximity to the University of Victoria, the president of that neighbourhood's community association questioned the terms of the pilot.

"A pilot project isn't a good idea -- we already have one," Don Gunn said in a phone interview before the council meeting. Homeowners who invest in renovations to bring suites up to code could find the pilot project abandoned after a year's time, he said, noting that he was speaking as a resident and not on behalf of his association.

The municipality needs clear, enforceable regulations across the municipality, Gunn suggested.

Coun. Dean Murdock was the only one to speak in favour of the pilot as a chance to iron out potential wrinkles, such as parking concerns.

"We have an opportunity to embrace the offer from the Camosun association. I think council would be wise to accept their offer."

Council unanimously adopted the strategic plan. Find it online at www.saanich.ca.