Demands leave homeowners unsettled

Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 02, 2011 1:00 AM 
While it’s not unusual for developers to contribute to local infrastructure, some homeowners are shocked to discover that they too can be forced to chip in.  Most municipalities, including Coldstream and Vernon, can require homeowners to provide funds for off-site works when they apply for a building permit. Negotiations can also be made for land, in lieu of off-site work.  “I don’t think the public is aware that this means this could apply to them, not just a subdivision or development,” said Coldstream resident Donna Anderson.  The requirement for off-site works doesn’t apply to everyone, says Mayor Jim Garlick.  “It all depends on the situation to the front of the property,” said Garlick, noting that if sewer, sidewalks and storm drains are already in place and no projects are planned in the area, the homeowner may not be required to contribute anything.  “But we’ve also got areas in Coldstream that are deficient in infrastructure, in sewer and storm drainage, so we want to look at it carefully.” “Each situation would be unique and be looked at. We have different situations around the community.” While the bylaw has been in place for a number of years, it hasn’t always been applied. But the issue recently surfaced in Coldstream after a Kidston Road homeowner applied for a building permit and was requested to pay for off-site works and services, or compromise to allow the district to purchase land for a multi-use path in the works. Currently in Coldstream, any building permit, no matter the size or dollar value of the project, can trigger a request for contribution. But the district is in the works to change the bylaw so that a $50,000 trigger point is established (the same figure Vernon uses). “It’s a major improvement but based on the (public) comments, we do have to work harder on the bylaw,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane.  Following several public complaints, Coldstream is investigating the bylaw further and investigating how other communities require off-site works. Suggestions have been made to increase the trigger point, since not much work can be done for under $50,000. It has also been suggested that the district better inform the public of its bylaw.  “Council is perhaps privy to some information that the public isn’t and we need to explain it better,” said Cochrane. Meanwhile, some homeowners say the whole situation is unfair. “This shouldn’t even be applied to individual property owners,” said Anderson.