Secondary suites
The Town of Gibsons says it wants to help homeowners with secondary suites bring those suites “up to the proper regulatory standard.”
A release from the Town this week said two recent fires “drew attention to inadequate fire separations and faulty, missing or unconnected smoke detectors.”
It also said the Town’s goal is not to punish, but rather help people who have secondary suites, legal or otherwise.
“At this time, there will be no sanctions against homeowners who request an official inspection of their secondary suites and are found to be in non-compliance,” the release said.
“We appreciate there is a housing crisis on the Coast and that secondary suites are helping to ease the current shortage of available rental units,” said Chester Machniewski, the Town’s building inspector. “Our goal is not to shut these suites down. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to fire safety regulations at the possible expense of people’s lives.”
Town officials will be working with the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department on the initiative.
“Everyone in this community should feel safe in their home,” said Fire Chief Rob Michael. “And every homeowner who has a rental suite is responsible for the safety of the tenants living under their roof. We just want to ensure that all landlords are living up to their responsibility.”
New planning boss
The Town of Gibsons will welcome a new director of planning in January.
Lesley-Ann Staats, who’s been with the planning department at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) for the past eight years, will replace Andre Boel.
Before joining the SCRD, Staats worked with the shíshálh Nation as a planning assistant and developed land-use policies.
“As a local planning professional, I understand both the local and regional context of land uses,” she said in the release announcing her appointment. “And as a member of the Gibsons community, I care deeply about the future growth and direction of this town. I look forward to working with the Town in a way that respects public diversity and values.”
