Saanich will explore secondary suite affects, options
Times Colonist February 25, 2009
Saanich councillors have agreed to begin work on introducing secondary suites into their community.
Coun. Dean Murdock said councillors have voted to begin a pilot project to study the effects of secondary suites in residential neighbourhoods.
Murdock said the location, duration and scope of the pilot project has yet to be determined.
But he said at least one neighbourhood association has already volunteered to stage the pilot protect and that support in the greater community appears quite high right now.
Secondary suites are gaining increasing acceptance as a means of providing housing in the Capital Regional District.
Victoria recently adopted a grant program where homeowners can apply for a grant to cover 25 per cent of the cost of installing a new secondary suite, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard said his municipality has a policy on dealing with secondary suites driven by complaints. And even after receiving at least two complaints, bylaw officers work to help shift a home with a suite into compliance with existing bylaws.
Leonard described the policy as driven by compassion, recognizing secondary suites exist but makes no move to crack down.
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