Cortes Island is not the only rural area dealing with the provincial government’s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act. Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney wants to know if Quadra Island would like to opt-in. She is conducting an online poll, which you can access by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. Mawhinney is also holding an in-person meeting in the Quadra Community Centre at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 20th.
“Opting in is certainly on the table right now. You’ve probably seen that there’s a survey out, live right now at srd.ca, which is asking islanders to identify the benefits of short term rentals, their potential concerns with them, and where they should be permitted. I think the survey, as well as providing a window into how islanders want to coexist with short term rentals, will help inform potential zoning by law changes,” she explained.
“Housing availability is a key concern for many islanders. During the election campaign I heard from many folks that believed the growth in short term rentals was contributing to a lack of housing availability and moving potential long term rentals into the short term rental space. I’ve also heard and continue to hear that the Residential Tenancy Act is a driver in pushing potential long term housing into the short term rental space.”
“I know that here on Quadra, a majority of short term rentals are run by folks who live on the property. The short term rental is a mortgage helper, or supplements retirement income and the Quadra community has a strong tourism component. Quadra is a beautiful place to spend time in nature, visit studios, relax on a beach. So how do we find balance? How do we ensure that our community continues to have a strong heart?”
“I think that the survey will help inform people so they can make reasonable changes to our zoning bylaw and would also provide certainty to operators that they are operating legally. I’m hoping in the survey to hear from a substantial number of islanders.”
Cortes Currents: Do you have any concerns about opting in?
Robyn Mawhinney: “I don’t know if I have a lot really, other than making sure that we’re making the decision that’s right for the majority of the community.”
“I think that an important consideration is when there are so many other BC locations which must opt in, if we do not opt in, there may be increasing interest from short term rental investors that live outside of Area C, and this could lead to further erosion of long term rental accommodation. It could potentially push up property values and affect community sustainability.”
“Opting in to the principal residence requirement must be done by board resolution by March 30th and the changes do not take place until November 30th.”
Cortes Currents: Are you looking for a certain percentage when you talk about public support?
Robyn Mawhinney: “I think that the decision would likely be based on more than the percentage of public support or lack thereof. The decision would also need to take into consideration how many folks did the survey. This opt in option is available every year. If it seems that, as a community, we need to take more time and have more community meetings and learn more – that’s fine.”
“On Cortes Island, they were ahead of the game. They already asked the community about the principal residence requirement.”
Cortes Currents: Cortes Island opted in at the board meeting of February 28th. We’re now in the midst of community consultations about updating Cortes Island zoning bylaws and meeting the provincial government’s requirement that the zoning bylaw be updated to accommodate small scale multi-unit housing requirements by June 30th. 2024.
Robyn Mawhinney: “There’s two updates that we’re talking about. There’s mandatory updates from the province, which must be completed by June 30th. They’re mandatory. There will not be consultation on the updates and that’s around permitting suites or accessory dwelling units based on servicing requirements that are available to properties.”
“The other update is around including or allowing short term rentals in some or all residential zones, and that will be a community conversation. Individuals and those representing groups would be welcome to provide feedback during that process. There would be a public hearing for the piece of updating the zoning bylaw to include short term rentals as a use in some or all residential zones.”
“There will not be a public hearing process for the mandatory zoning bylaw changes which are coming from the province and those have to be completed by June 30th.”
“If we do opt in, the province is going to be collecting and sharing data with the regional district and the province would play a role in monitoring short term rentals and the enforcement. That would mean less cost to the regional district and balancing the playing field.”
“I’ve been following other communities who are considering the opting in question.”
“Tofino has been considering opting in, even though they are a resort municipality, so they aren’t required to. I thought a comment from Mayor Dan Law that I read online was quite interesting. He said that property will attain to their highest and most profitable use. If residential properties are allowed to do short term rentals and there is a significant increase in revenue over long term rentals, then over time, it is likely that they will move that way.”
Mawhinney is not endorsing that position.
“For me, this is really about keeping the heart in our community. Folks who live here, volunteer here, shop here, these folks are the heart of our community.”
Related Links:
- Electoral Area C: Short-Term Rentals Consultation – SRD website
- Cortes Island Opts in to BC Short Term Rental Act; Quadra Considering – Cortes Currents
- B.C.’s short-term rental accommodations legislation – BC Government
- Housing Needs Report for Electoral Area C – SRD
Top image credit: View from a rocky Quadra Island Beach – Photo by Robyn Mawhinney
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