Two could become four with duplexes

Posted: Thursday, June 12, 2014 10:16 pm JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald
Duplexes could potentially become fourplexes under revised secondary suite regulations approved by Penticton city council. Council voted 5-1 this week to amend its zoning bylaws to allow secondary suites in duplexes. The changes also remove a requirement that the property owner must live in the same house that includes a secondary suite. No one spoke in opposition to the bylaw changes during a brief public hearing prior to council’s decision. Mayor Garry Litke was the lone council member opposed to the move, especially the removal of the owner occupancy requirement. The condition stems from a recommendation by the city’s affordable housing committee prior to the city’s move to legalize secondary suites in 2009. “It was seen as a necessary condition for the neighbourhood to accept them in their neighbourhood – that secondary suites needed to be monitored more closely,” Litke said. “It was seen as a mortgage helper. It was seen as an in-law suite.” Coun. Wes Hopkin said although he can understand a neighbourhood’s desire to preserve its character, he doesn’t see secondary suites as a threat. “I think there might be some motivation of fear in some of these neighbourhoods. There obviously are always bad renters that will have to be dealt with,” he said. “I think it’s only the minority of cases where this would be a problem.” Hopkin said he doesn’t believe that having the owner living in a home can prevent problems with bad renters. Anthony Haddad, the city’s director of development services, noted the city has had some difficulties in enforcing the owner-occupier regulation, especially if the home owner didn’t live on the property and couldn’t be contacted. “Certainly the rule change will allow both units to be rented out,” he said. “Staff will obviously be keeping a close eye on any enforcement issues.” The bylaw amendments do not mean an amnesty for existing illegal secondary suites, Haddad added. A building permit and subsequent inspection is mandatory for all secondary suites to gain city approval. Sufficient parking is also required.