A Saanich resident speaks out......

Get with the times, legalize suites

February 06, 200


I agree with Coun. Brownoff that most renters don’t have the money for down payments on buying property.

I agree we’re building “expensive” units that aren’t helping the service industry workers and many others. I think that rather than building and subsidizing larger housing complexes at the taxpayers’ expense, we should be legalizing secondary suites. It would only take an amendment to the zoning bylaw to address the mechanics of such a shift.

I also agree that Saanich councilors aren’t doing enough. In its Nov. 23 issue, the Saanich News reported on Owner Booted for Bad Renos re a botched addition of three basement suites in a 1917 home on Battleford Ave.

Other articles have outlined the potential liabilities that municipalities face in dealing with these deficiencies, and even in a building that was renovated 25 years ago. As taxpayers, we bear the brunt of these lawsuits, unnecessarily.

To many communities across BC (over half) who have already embraced secondary suites, that experience has been a good one. Studies by the province and other agencies have shown that suites are a form of housing that provide many benefits, and can

1. Help as mortgage helpers

2. Provide affordable options for students and people on fixed incomes, or just for people who like to live in a single family neighbourhood

3. Provide ground access to trees, yards and open space

4. Allow families to stay together (kids and elders especially) and

5. Provide opportunities for seniors to afford to stay in their houses longer by renting the space they now don’t need.

However, some recent articles in the Saanich News concern me. Week after week the Saanich News has advertised the draft OCP, outlining how “the community needs to be involved in the important issues such as land use, growth management, etc.” Conversely, in the Jan 25 edition, Saanich News article Saanich not sold on legal suites “ Mayor Leonard, stated “the issue has not been discussed by council members and it’s not on the agenda in the near future.”

Why isn’t it on the agenda? Back in November, we received the results of the OCP survey. And what were the results of the survey relating to secondary suites? It turned out that three quarters of residents responding throughout Saanich felt that illegal suites ought to be “legalized.”

Whether this concern trickles down to the politicians, and serious discussion ensues, with residents resulting in some form of regulations being introduced to deal with secondary suites in this municipality will largely depend on residents’ continued interest and participation in this matter.

Sheila Critch

Saanich

Saanich NEWS ........

Saanich not sold on legal suites
By Erin Cardone - Saanich News - January 25, 2000

Legalization idea not on council’s agenda

This week, Karina Sacca posted a listing on Craigslist.org that her legal basement suite is available for rent.

That the suite in her Victoria home was legal was a major deciding factor in the purchase.

“We had hoped to buy a home with a suite in it when we were looking at houses on the market,” she said. “We found lots with suites, but they weren’t legal.”

Three-quarters of Saanich residents indicated in the December official community plan survey that they wanted secondary suites legalized in the municipality. Although the new OCP draft recommends the municipality “consider” the legalization of suites, the issue hasn’t been discussed by council members and isn’t on the agenda in the near future, said Mayor Frank Leonard.

Oak Bay council put forth the discussion this week, saying the legalization of suites would be one of the issues of the year.

The City of Victoria legalized suites seven months ago and since then, 22 suites have been registered with the city.

“There’s a lot of misunderstandings when you put those two words (legal suites) together,” Leonard said. “For something as dramatic as that change, it should require a lot of public input.”

Several organizations and individuals are putting the word out that residents want suites legalized. Lana Popham, an environmental activist and council elect-hopeful, operates a blog called Saanich and Secondary Suites. The Tenants Rights Action Coalition, or TRAC, has several studies on its website to promote the legalization of suites and the Victoria Real Estate Board supports the legalization as well.

“In the mind of a consumer, if you’ve got a choice between purchasing a home with a legal secondary suite and an illegal one, it’s a no-brainer,” said Tony Joe, president of VREB. “Having a legal secondary suite is a very big stress relief.”

Is there really such a difference between a legal and an illegal suite? The current situation in Saanich is that municipal staff know there are thousands of illegal suites in the municipality, but they’ll only close one down if complaints come in, TRAC has pointed out.

A legal basement suite can increase the assessed value of a property, according to Rick McMahon, deputy assessor at the B.C. Assessment Authority, but so can a finished basement. Illegal suites can raise the value as well.

The 22 suites that were legalized in Victoria are a small number in comparison to the countless suites in the city.

Leonard predicts there wouldn’t be a rush of people registering their suites if Saanich passed the legalization bylaw. “Even when you put together a legalization standard, property owners still wouldn’t come forward.”

The costs associated with getting a suite up to standard sometimes aren’t worth the trouble, Sacca pointed out.

ecardone@saanichnews.com

A lesson from Victoria...a lot to learn.

The City of Victoria has made a change to their bylaws this past spring. There is so much to learn from a Municipality that has gone through these steps. We have other Municipalities in our CRD that have done the same thing. Look at Central Saanich for example. Although each Municipality is different and has different pressures, the premise is the same. Will Saanich be the last Municipality to take the bull by the horns? This is not a change that is best done by rushing in and creating a policy that doesn't work properly. But, we have a lot of examples where it is working well. In Saanich we do have many secondary suites. They are just not legal.....

Here is the language that Victoria uses:

Secondary Suites

As of June 2007, single family homes in the City of Victoria, regardless of age or the availability of an extra parking space, may be eligible for secondary suites. However, to maintain neighbourhood character, there is a house size requirement and only limited exterior changes are allowed.

A secondary suite is a rental suite, located within a single family home. A secondary suite cannot be strata-titled.

Secondary suites offer homeowners a variety of benefits and increase the amount of safe, affordable housing in Victoria. If you plan to construct a secondary suite, you must apply for a building permit at Victoria City Hall. To learn more about the process, contact: Building Inspections at 361-0344 and Zoning at 361-0316.

Where am I coming from.....

In 1992, I graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. I majored in Geography. Urban Geography as a matter of fact. Although I did not formally study Smart Growth principles back then, the idea was in the background. I am a firm believer in Smart Growth. You may wonder what Smart Growth Is? I have taken this from the Smart Growth Website:

What is smart growth?

Smart growth is a collection of land use and development principles that aim to enhance our quality of life, preserve the natural environment, and save money over time. Smart growth principles ensure that growth is fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible and recognizes the connections between development and quality of life. Smart growth enhances and completes communities by placing priority on infill, redevelopment, and densification strategies.


Here is a list of Smart Growth Principles:

The smart growth principles are:

1. Mix land uses. Each neighbourhood has a mixture of homes, retail, business, and recreational opportunities.
2. Build well-designed compact neighbourhoods. Residents can choose to live, work, shop and play in close proximity. People can easily access daily activities, transit is viable, and local businesses are supported.
3. Provide a variety of transportation choices. Neighbourhoods are attractive and have safe infrastructure for walking, cycling and transit, in addition to driving.
4. Create diverse housing opportunities. People in different family types, life stages and income levels can afford a home in the neighbourhood of their choice.
5. Encourage growth in existing communities. Investments in infrastructure (such as roads and schools) are used efficiently, and developments do not take up new land.
6. Preserve open spaces, natural beauty, and environmentally sensitive areas. Development respects natural landscape features and has higher aesthetic, environmental, and financial value.
7. Protect and enhance agricultural lands. A secure and productive land base, such as BC's Agricultural Land Reserve, provides food security, employment, and habitat, and is maintained as an urban containment boundary.
8. Utilize smarter, and cheaper infrastructure and green buildings. Green buildings and other systems can save both money and the environment in the long run.
9. Foster a unique neighbourhood identity. Each community is unique, vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.
10. Nurture engaged citizens. Places belong to those who live, work, and play there. Engaged citizens participate in community life and decision-making.