Editor:
Many responsible short-term rental (STR) owners and citizens are currently participating in an important local government process to further regulate STRs where we hope for respect and consideration of our experiential input. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a flawed process destined to shut down many compliant, licensed STRs who have been operating for decades. The licensing categories have been arbitrarily changed, without statistical evidence to support how this will solve existing problems. Is this fair, or a flawed process crafted to scapegoat STRs for government’s lack of action on housing and bylaw enforcement?
The newly drafted regulations are for consultation, or, have they already been decided? Stakeholders see a lack of statistical evidence, ignored input, questions stymied during meetings and a “backgrounder” document lacking in statistical data. The consultants have been quick to say “it’s not part of this proposal” with respect to normal considerations, like allowing problem-free licences to continue with more than one suite or cottage.
This is not consultation, nor is it transparency…
Complaint free, well managed, long-standing licencees are not the problem.
Most of the problems exist because the District of Sechelt has not been able to offer bylaw enforcement to manage licensing and complaints. Approximately 35 per cent of STRs are currently licenced, and a lack of action on complaints from DoS has created frustration and fear in the community. It would make sense for the District of Sechelt to solve existing problems first, and perhaps add occupancy limits and hands-on management as a requisite for new licences, before making large sweeping changes.
We ask the District of Sechelt and all members of the community to recognize the compliant and responsible operating practices of the licenced STRs as models of excellence to help create fair regulations.
cc: Sechelt Chamber of Commerce
Linda McKinley, Sechelt
