Notice of Public Hearing
4:00 pm on Monday, June 22, 2020
Online via Zoom
Meeting ID: 832 0162 2984
Password: 766484
Phone Access: Find your local number
Bylaw Amendments for Short Term Rentals
Amendment Bylaw Nos. 501, 501 & 503, 2020
What are these amendments about?
These Bylaw amendments are part of the implementation for Short Term Rental Policy #19-05 to establish a regulatory framework for short term rentals on Bowen Island. The amendments are for the Land Use Bylaw, Business Licensing Bylaw and the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw.
How do I learn more?
Please read the Background Information, below.
Where are we now?
Ways you can have your say:
Speak at the Public Hearing: June 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm:
1. E-mail the Corporate Officer (hdallas@bimbc.ca) BEFORE 4:00 pm with:
Subject line: “Public Hearing – Verbal Submission – STR Bylaw Amendment”
Your full name, address and phone number
2. Join via Zoom and wait for your name to be called out.
Write to the attention of Mayor and Council:
E-mail: mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca
Mail: 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2
To ensure a fair process, Council cannot consider any submissions received after the Public Hearing has ended.
Background Information
November 25, 2019 Regular Council Meeting: RES#19-615
That Council direct staff to prepare bylaws to amend the Land Use Bylaw, Business Licence Bylaw, and the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw as necessary to enact the Short Term Rental Policy.
April 27, 2020 Regular Council Meeting: RES#20-224
That Bylaw No. 501, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 501, 2020”, be read a first time; and
That Bylaw No. 502, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 502, 2020”, be read a first time; and
That Bylaw No. 503, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 503, 2020”, be read a first time; and
That Council refer Bylaw No. 501, 2020 to the Islands Trust and Council refer Bylaws No. 501, 502 and 503 Advisory Planning Commission, Community Economic Development Committee and the Housing Advisory Committee; and
That Council direct staff to hold appropriate community consultation for Bylaws No. 501, 502 & 503.
May 25, 2020 Regular Council Meeting: RES#20-268
THAT
Bylaw No. 501, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 501, 2020”, be read a second time; and
Bylaw No. 502, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 502, 2020”, be read a second time; and
Bylaw No. 503, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 503, 2020”, be read a second time; and
Council refer Bylaw No. 501, 2020 to a Public Hearing.
May 21, 2020 Advisory Planning Commission:
That Advisory Planning Commission support Bowen Island Municipality Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 503, 2020 and Bowen Island Municipality Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 502, 2020 as presented at its May 21, 2020 Meeting.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
That Advisory Planning Commission support Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 501, 2020 including the 120-day limit.
CARRIED
Michael Penny and Kirsty Johnson Opposed
May 25, 2020 Community Economic Development Committee:
Whereas one of the goals of the Community Economic Development Committee is to support economic resiliency by encouraging shoulder and off-season business; and,
Whereas short term rentals contribute to businesses in addition to the accommodation industry such as restaurants, retail, and health and wellness which is a growth industry on Bowen Island;
Therefore it be resolved, that the Community Economic Development Committee provide the following comments:
Regarding Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 501, 2020:
- That on-site parking stipulations be reconsidered;
- The 120 days maximum rental per year limit be removed in order to support year-round economy;
Regarding Bowen Island Municipality Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 502, 2020;
- That the designated person in charge of short-term rentals not be required to be on-island but be contactable by telephone;
Regarding Bowen Island Municipality Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 503, 2020:
- No comments;
Regarding Policy #19-05 and the bylaw adoption process in general:
The Committee recommends that Council direct Staff to include information about alternative accommodation options that exist in comparable communities in a future report to better inform decision-making;
That the bylaw adoption process be slowed down to allow for more consideration and consultation; and,
That the ensuing financial depression predicted to take place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic be considered as a factor in decision-making that encourages, rather than discourages economic stimulation.
CARRIED
Councillor Nicholson Opposed (Opposition to the recommendation was based on removal of the 120-day limit and slowing the pace of the process.)
May 1, 2020 Housing Advisory Committee:
That the Housing Advisory Committee provide the following comments regarding Bylaw Amendments for Short-Term Rental Policy #19-05:
- Bylaw No. 501, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 501, 2020”,
- Bylaw No. 502, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 502, 2020”
- Bylaw No. 503, 2020, cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 503, 2020
- The proposed amendment bylaws meet the objectives of with Short-Term Rental Policy #19-05;
- The proposed amendment bylaws strike an effective balance between retaining and providing long term housing stock, with allowing owners flexibility to rent their spaces in a manner appropriate to their lifestyle and financial needs; and,
- The Housing Advisory Committee looks forward to the review of the amendment bylaws to be conducted in the Fall of 2021, one year after implementation, which will consider benefits and detriments to the community.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY