Rezoning bylaw sparks debate

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 11, 2008

Some Vernon politicians fear an affordable form of housing could be lost forever. Council gave two readings Monday to a bylaw that would rezone a 6.49-acre vacant property on Okanagan Avenue from mobile home residential to four-plex residential. Opposition came from Councillors Barry Beardsell and Juliette Cunningham. “Until we come up with something acceptable for mobile homes, I think it is irresponsible to go in this direction at this time,” said Beardsell. Beardsell is concerned that rezoning this land could eliminate the possibility of affordable housing for many residents. “With no provision for mobile home parks, where do they go?” he said. City staff recommended the change in rezoning. “It’s another way to obtain affordable housing units in the community,” said Kim Flick, planning and building services manger. It’s proposed that the property be subdivided into three separate development sites, with a total of 63 units.In a letter to council, a representative for the developer defended the request for rezoning.

“Although mobile home zoning is considered more attainable, real estate listings in this neighbourhood range from $227,000 to $319,900 for homes more than 30 years old,” said Wilf Lunde, an architect. “The proposed duplex housing will be comparatively priced but higher due to new construction. The four-plex strata units could be expected to be less expensive than the current average selling price in the neighbourhood.” But Cunningham isn’t convinced that will occur. “You can have good intentions that they will be sold for $300,000 but we know what’s happened in the past,” she said of increased real estate prices.

That view was also supported by Beardsell. “If the market takes an upswing, it won’t be $300,000, it will be $400,000,” he said. Cunningham also suggested that existing mobile home parks in Vernon could eventually be re-developed. “They are still viable because you can’t even rent something that’s affordable,” she said of the housing market. But a majority of council decided to let the rezoning application proceed. “If there was pressure for a mobile home park, someone would have developed it,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. With two readings now in place, the proposed rezoning bylaw will now be the focus of a public hearing Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.