After a n emotional 4.5-hour public hearing Tuesday (Nov. 21), ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη council deferred its decision on proposed changes to short-term rental bylaws.
The roughly 200 people in council chambers applauded several times after individuals spoke prompting Mayor Tom Dyas to remind the audience, more than once, that the behaviour wasnβt acceptable as it may intimidate others with different opinions from speaking.
After shouts of βyes it isβ from the crowd, Dyas called for a 10-minute break.
βThis is a place of decorum and order,β Dyas said when the meeting resumed. βWe understand there are lots of emotions that people have with regard to their opinions. For the ones who are getting the applause, theyβre comfortable, for the ones who are not, theyβre not so comfortable.β
There were no further interruptions after the mayorβs comments.
Of the 38 people who spoke 24 were against the proposed changes, nine were in favour and five asked council to defer the matter until there is more clarity from the provincial government on its short-term rental legislation.
βWhenever there are situations like this that are going to affect individualsβ pocketbooksβ¦there is emotion,β Dyas added. βWe were grateful that people came out and we had the opportunity to hear what they had to say.β
Council is considering removing short-term rental accommodation as a permitted secondary use from all zones in the city, similar to newly introduced provincial legislation which will only allow renting a main residence, basement or secondary suite on a property where the owner lives a majority of the time.
Under the cityβs proposed changes, any properties with valid secondary use short-term rental accommodation business licences would be permitted to continue operating.
There are also some areas of the city that are not affected by the proposed changes including parts of McKinley Beach Village Centre, properties on Sunset Drive, St. Paul Street, Abbott St., Lakeshore Road, Leon Avenue, KLO Road and Truswell Road.
Short-term legislation is not expected to be in place until May 2024 and many speakers questioned why council was considering making its decision before more information is available from the province.
βThat was one thing that was heard very loudly,β Dyas said.
Several speakers also urged council to advocate ΑπΑ§ΙρΙηβs uniqueness as a tourist destination to the provincial government.
Coun. Ron Cannan responded to that call in making the motion to defer the decision.
βIβd like to advocate a made-in-ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη policy that best meets the needs of our community. Weβre trying to find that balance providing affordable housing for local residents, as well as offering alternative, affordable accommodation,β he said.
Councillors Loyal Wooldridge and Maxine DeHart recused themselves from the hearing, discussion and vote due to conflicts of interest.
Wooldridge operates a short-term rental licence, and DeHart works in the hospitality industry and owns two units on Sunset Drive.
Coun. Gord Lovegrove was the only vote against.
Staff told council there should be more information from the provincial government regarding its short-term rental legislation in the next two to three weeks.
READ MORE: Feds applaud B.C. moves to limit short-term rentals
