The long-running debate on secondary suites in Kelowna will run on a little 
bit longer. City council decided Monday that the public should be more thoroughly consulted on a controversial proposal to streamline the legalization of secondary suites. “The never-ending saga continues,” acting mayor Robert Hobson said after almost two hours of council debate failed to produce a decision. Public opinion may be sought through a single-issue opinion poll, or a question on secondary suites may be added should the city conduct a citizen survey again this year. Doing more to consult with ordinary people was an idea suggested by several councillors, who weren‘t convinced last year‘s efforts by a task force on affordable housing generated enough public input. “This is exactly how we should have started many, many months ago. But it‘s never too late to do the right thing,” said Coun. Carol Gran. Through four open houses last year, about 150 people took the time to fill out a survey that quizzed their views on a broad range of topics relating to affordable housing. “I‘d like to have more input from the public, ideally in some statistically valid manner,” said Coun. Michele Rule.
bit longer. City council decided Monday that the public should be more thoroughly consulted on a controversial proposal to streamline the legalization of secondary suites. “The never-ending saga continues,” acting mayor Robert Hobson said after almost two hours of council debate failed to produce a decision. Public opinion may be sought through a single-issue opinion poll, or a question on secondary suites may be added should the city conduct a citizen survey again this year. Doing more to consult with ordinary people was an idea suggested by several councillors, who weren‘t convinced last year‘s efforts by a task force on affordable housing generated enough public input. “This is exactly how we should have started many, many months ago. But it‘s never too late to do the right thing,” said Coun. Carol Gran. Through four open houses last year, about 150 people took the time to fill out a survey that quizzed their views on a broad range of topics relating to affordable housing. “I‘d like to have more input from the public, ideally in some statistically valid manner,” said Coun. Michele Rule. The debate, once again, revealed soame deep divides among council members on whether the city should make it easier for people to legalize secondary suites, by simply getting a building permit rather than going through a rezoning process that allows neighbours to object. Supporters of the idea say it would simply acknowledge the current reality that many people have secondary suites and would help to increase the supply of affordable housing options. But critics say making it easier to create secondary suites would amount to betraying people who moved into areas expecting them to remain primarily made up of single-family residences. “This could have the potential to drastically change neighbourhoods,” said Coun. Brian Given. City staff proposed a legalization process that would not have allowed for any neighbour input in many secondary suite applications. Rule suggested council consider the idea, but no one seconded her motion and the approach was not discussed. Coun. Norm Letnick then suggested a process that would allow secondary suites without a formal public hearing if owners of adjacent properties give their written consent in advance. But that approach was also defeated, with councillors worried about the disputes it might cause. “That‘s crazy. That‘s a way to bring dissension into a neighbourhood,” said Coun. Barrie Clark. Staff will report back to council at a later date on what form additional public consultation should take.
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