FLASH: A Bulletin Request to Residents
Secondary Suite Survey Deadline - May 10th, 2019: you may not be aware of it as it was poorly publicized. Also, for some reason, the Planning Department’s Secondary Suite Survey only provides residents with a short 18-day response period. Please complete the on-line survey as soon as possible at:
https://www.oakbay.ca/municipal-hall/mayor-council/news/secondary-suites-questionnaire
What is puzzling about the Secondary Suite Survey is that the Planning Dept. (at an annul administration cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars) and an expensive Urban Development Institute member consultant have provided only limited negative impact information, while overplaying questionable benefits for the majority of existing residents.
Some of the unpublicized negative impacts that require our attention, as they will increase our already out-of- sight property taxes, are:
Most of the Secondary Suite Survey questions are weighted in favor of allowing more suites. Our Zoning already allows secondary suites with enforceable restrictions (e.g. 2 tenants, owner occupied and safety conditions).
Home
As the Secondary Suite Survey is open to respondents from outside of Oak Bay it is important that you to complete the Planning Department Survey and make your views known.
Secondary Suite Survey Deadline - May 10th, 2019: you may not be aware of it as it was poorly publicized. Also, for some reason, the Planning Department’s Secondary Suite Survey only provides residents with a short 18-day response period. Please complete the on-line survey as soon as possible at:
https://www.oakbay.ca/municipal-hall/mayor-council/news/secondary-suites-questionnaire
What is puzzling about the Secondary Suite Survey is that the Planning Dept. (at an annul administration cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars) and an expensive Urban Development Institute member consultant have provided only limited negative impact information, while overplaying questionable benefits for the majority of existing residents.
Some of the unpublicized negative impacts that require our attention, as they will increase our already out-of- sight property taxes, are:
- The data shows that most existing secondary suites and new suites do not register when the Zoning Bylaw is changed.
- New revenue is very inadequate to cover the infrastructure impacts and to provide municipal services to the enlarged tenant population.
- Costly new inspection/enforcement staff and registration programs compound this situation.
Most of the Secondary Suite Survey questions are weighted in favor of allowing more suites. Our Zoning already allows secondary suites with enforceable restrictions (e.g. 2 tenants, owner occupied and safety conditions).
Home
As the Secondary Suite Survey is open to respondents from outside of Oak Bay it is important that you to complete the Planning Department Survey and make your views known.