Councillor Charlie Hodge drew a round of applause at council鈥檚 Monday (Mar. 11) meeting for his stance on potential infill housing development in 琉璃神社鈥檚 heritage conservation area.
New provincial legislation sets out density targets for several zones in municipalities across B.C.
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鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we鈥檙e leading by saying yes to this, I think we鈥檙e leading by saying no, not this time,鈥� Hodge added. 鈥淚f that is going to cost us something down the road鈥hen so be it.鈥�
The approximately 20 members of the public attending the meeting applauded the comment.
Ryan Smith, director of planning and development, said there was likely no ability to separate the heritage component from the rest of the legislation, noting it could cost the city if council pushed back.
鈥淢y response would just be speculation鈥�.but there may be things like grant funding applications鈥�.where it鈥檚 tens of millions of dollars that relate back to that decision.鈥�
Hodge likened the province鈥檚 actions to those of a playground bully.
鈥淚f somebody doesn鈥檛 stand up and say no they鈥檙e just going to continue to do it.鈥�
Councillor Ron Cannan was on the same page as Hodge.
鈥淲e have nothing to lose by saying no, this is our position as a council.鈥�
He noted that Penticton is holding several public open houses to hear residents鈥� comments on the provincial housing legislation.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a point where there鈥檚 a hill to die on and this is it for our heritage conservation area.鈥�
At a previous council meeting, Cannan suggested the city write the province asking that the few blocks in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas be exempt from the legislation.
Councillor Luke Stack sat on the other side of the issue, pointing out that staff are working on coming up with ideas on how to protect heritage areas.
鈥淚 would rather focus on what we can do as a city rather than dig in our heels and say we鈥檙e not going to follow the province鈥檚 directive and you can鈥檛 make us.鈥�
At previous meetings, staff have recommended that infill developments in heritage areas be limited to four units on a single-family lot. Provincial legislation calls for six units.
Councillor Maxine DeHart suggested that concerned residents go directly to the source.
鈥淧erhaps go to your MLAs, they are your body. I鈥檝e put that in writing to many people.鈥�
Cannan made a motion to defer giving three readings to zoning bylaw amendments to conform to the legislation. It was defeated with just him and Hodge in favour.
Council then voted to give the three readings with Cannan and Hodge opposed. Councillor Gord Lovegrove recused himself from the discussion and vote citing a conflict of interest.
鈥淭his was not an easy decision by this council,鈥� said Mayor Tom Dyas. 鈥淲e know exactly the rules being imposed on us, not only in this particular area but areas throughout the community.鈥�
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