Quote:
Originally Posted by fusili
I know you are criticizing Nenshi's proposal- but what is your alternative?
|
First alternative, determine the critical goal, the goal that must be met, between safety, legality, and affordability.
To this end I would divorce affordable housing from the current argument. More to point, I would not consider affordable housing as an argument point for secondary suites.
First priority would be safety. As Mayor (
) I would focus on safety aspect of secondary suites. This would encompass reduction in the redtape rezoning and development permit processes. I would remove development permits for suites that are all ready substantially compliant (e.g. second entrance, compliant windows, fireproof, etc). Secondly I would remove the requirements for rezoning and instead direct city administration to hand out rezoning permits based upon a preset number of secondary suites per comnunity (e.g. 5 secondary suites per block get zoned with no further community association involvement). Comunity association involvement would begin if there is desire for increased # of secondary suites. I would implement a low cost or no-cost initial safety inspection for homeowners to identify where their suites are deficient. Most controversially, the initial safety inspection would be fine and penalty free for all but the most serious and life threatening situations. For all other safety infractions the homeowner would be provided the time to remediate the deficiencies within a 6-12 month timeframe.
I would implement an enhanced process to track down illegal secondary suites and get the homeowners started on the process of taking their initial safety inspection and working towards compliant secondary suites. This process would inlcude a whistleblower line and review of classified ads (rentfaster) for illegal secodnary suites.
Finally I would work with Gov't of AB and City of Edmonton to alter current secondary suite safety requirements to only focus on those aspects that directly affect safety. Example is the requirement for second HVAC for the secondary suite, this aspect of safety regulations si not life threatening unless the temperature is below 15C, so focus on the landlord tennant situation over the requirement for second HVAC unit.
My plan would focus on making secondary suites safe and legal, improving the quality of housing in Calgary rather than quantity. Quantity aspects would be handled through other initiatives.
Prev
Linear Mode
