SECONDARY SUITES

REPORT:

HOW THE SECONDARY SUITE SURCHARGE WAS DETERMINED
January 12, 2011

Please click here for report.

SECONDARY SUITE SURCHARGE BILLING METHOD
January 11, 2011

To Community Members,

Before its regularly scheduled meeting yesterday, Council received many emails from residents who had concerns regarding the proposed Secondary Suite Surcharge billing method.

In these e-mails and in discussions with residents, it emerged that some who supported the Surcharge itself still perceived the billing method as “negative billing”. They really disliked the idea of having to sign a Statutory Declaration attesting that they didn’t have a Secondary Suite or else face paying the Surcharge. Rather, they wanted the onus left with owners of Secondary Suites to actively identify themselves and pay the Surcharge indicated in the billing.

This was always a possible option. Accordingly, Council did two things. First, it decided to reverse the requirement for an annual Statutory Declaration attesting that you don’t have a Secondary Suite. To do this, Council took a unanimous vote to withdraw a policy resolution dating from December 6^th, requiring an annual Statutory Declaration.

Second, Councillor Joanne Ronsley brought forward a recommended alternative billing approach for Secondary Suites. This will be a line on the utilities invoice requiring residents with Secondary Suites to indicate that they have them and pay the Surcharge. This removes the “negative billing” aspect which was found objectionable.

Council would like to thank all residents for their input on the billing method. All of it has been very helpful in the ongoing refining process involved in creating a workable Secondary Suite Bylaw, a Policy and a Surcharge process that meets the objectives identified in the Lions Bay Official Community Plan.

Simply as further background information for Villagers who did not feel “caught up” with what is occurring, here is another resolution from December 6^th, 2010. It instructs staff to prepare a bylaw establishing the Secondary Suites Surcharge and its level. This resolution has been left in place, and at the current time, staff are preparing the bylaw.

RESOLUTION

Whereas Council on July 19, 2010 after due debate and in discussion adopted a Policy on Administration/. Enforcement of Zoning Bylaw regulations in regard to Secondary Suites which included the following clause, from page 6, item 6:

“The Secondary Suite surcharge is intended to cover, as per Priority 3-c, a fair contribution to the cost of Village of Lions Bay Services. The Surcharge will be added to the annual charges (before the prompt payment discount) for solid waste, recycling, yard waste and water user fees. These are set by bylaws establishing fees for each applicable service, usually passed in January of each year. The level of the surcharge will be 40% of the regular billing. ”

Resolution

Moved by Councillor Akerhielm

Seconded by Councillor Ronsley

Resolved that:

Council direct staff to prepare a bylaw to bring the Secondary Suites Surcharge into effect in accordance with the above policy, said surcharge to be charged annually beginning in 2011, and shown simply as a Secondary Suite Surcharge in the billing.

SECONDARY SUITES "DEMYSTIFIED" INFORMATION SESSION

Education Session held on September 13, 2010

On July 19, Council adopted a new Zoning bylaw amendment legalizing the construction of new Secondary Suites in single family residences, after Sept 7, 2010. Also on July 19, Council adopted a policy regarding how the new regulations will apply (or not apply) to Secondary Suites built before Sept 7, 2010. This new policy comes into effect on Sept 20, 2010.

This was an information session for those who wanted to learn about the new regulations, or want to know how it might affect them. This session was held on Monday Sept 13, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Village Hall. The following are copies of the presented PowerPoint program and information guide that were handed out.

Copy of the PowerPoint Presentation of Sept 13 2010

Copy of the Secondary Suite Information Guide from Sept 13 2010

A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SECONDARY SUITES WAS HELD ON JUNE 23 2010 @ 7 PM

The Village of Lions Bay will hold a Public Hearing on June 23^rd, 7:00 PM at the Community Hall, 400 Centre Road, Lions Bay on a Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw. The intent of the new Bylaw is to legalize and regulate the construction of secondary suites within principal residences, throughout the Village of Lions Bay. A Public Hearing is required for a Zoning Bylaw amendment, before it receives final reading. Residents may make either verbal or written submissions. If doing so in writing, please send your submission via the Village Office and indicate that it is for the purposes of the Public Hearing. Copies of the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw are available from the Village Office, 400 Centre Road, Lions Bay from the hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

To download a copy of this notice, please click here.

Presentation made to Residents at a Public Meeting from October 14, 2009.

Please click here to review

Secondary Suite Information Centre

Please visit the following links to view the proposed Secondary Suite regulations for Lions Bay. More recent presentations and reports are at the top of the list, and older ones at the bottom:

Zoning Amendment Bylaw, Given Third Reading - July 5, 2010

"Grandfathering" and "Suite Surcharges - June 15 2010"

Basic Q's & A's - June 10 2010

Issues and Responses - June 10, 2010

Zoning Bylaw Amendments - June 9, 2010

Residents Questions and Comments - May 29, 2010

Suites Presentation to Residents May 29, 2010

Secondary Suites Administration

Suites presentation to Council - April 19, 2010

Amendment to Zoning Bylaw 362 - Report

Secondary Suites Administration - Report

Proposed Timing for Legislation on Secondary Suites