Suite talk tabled

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 13 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
A go-slow approach is being taken with the controversial issue of secondary suites in Vernon neighbourhoods. Council decided Monday to table an extensive set of recommendations from the affordable housing advisory committee that supported secondary suites in single-family residential zones. “Secondary suites are a touchy issue and we can’t look at them in isolation when dealing with affordable housing,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who sits on the advisory committee. Among the committee’s recommendations was asking council to look at reducing development cost charges on secondary suites and that processing of applications for secondary suites be streamlined. The committee also called for reduced application fees for secondary suites and for city staff to review utility fee rates to reflect actual utility usage in secondary suites. The city currently has a policy to legalize secondary suites, but few have occurred. The decision to table the issue was made so information from a recent affordable housing workshop in Kelowna can be received and considered. “It’s not just an affordable housing problem it’s a lack of income problem,” said Cunningham, who attended the workshop. “If people don’t make more money, they won’t be able to afford anything we come up with.” While no action is being taken at this time, there are significant concerns about secondary suites among some politicians. Among them is on-street parking. “It’s a huge problem on Mission Hill now with illegal suites,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. “Parking has to be high on the agenda when it comes to opening suites up.” There were also questions on how much public input would be involved when a suite moves ahead in a neighbourhood. “There are neighbourhoods where the majority (of residents) don’t want suites. Will we create suite areas?” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. Coun. Barry Beardsell stated that legalizing suites would impact the official community plan and financial assistance is required from the provincial government. Cunningham wasn’t thrilled with the tone of the debate, especially comments from Gilroy. “It (parking) is an enforcement problem. It’s a separate issue from secondary suites,” she said. “I can feel there is a resistance to this.”