Although the previous council set a high standard for public consultation, a hallmark of the current term has been the quashing of democracy. A recent public hearing on November 3 was a disturbing example on more than one level.
It concerned short term rentals (STR’s) and was attended by about 35 residents. Council also received several letters offering input.
No agenda was provided for the meeting. The long list of rules provided by the CAO to govern the meeting was designed to severely restrict input. Even the mayor laughed as he read them out loud. For once – something we can all agree on.
Councillors were not permitted to respond to questions. The CAO was in control.
Nevertheless residents had plenty to say. Most who spoke referred to the STR policy, in place since 2017. Common points included:
- Proposed bylaw amendments would weaken the policy or do away with important regulations that were created to address problems with STR’s in Lions Bay specifically.
- Notice of the hearing and information was too little, too late or missing entirely.
- Enforcing the policy would have solved current STR problems. Creating a new bylaw would be meaningless unless existing policy regulations were included and enforced.
- Concern that too many STR’s would change the village into a community that is no longer the Lions Bay residents want.
- Allowing STR’s removes housing options for firefighters and other long-term renters.
Three STR owners spoke. Two stated they had submitted permit applications – in one instance over a year before – which had not yet been approved. Nonetheless both are operating STR’s. This confirmed speakers’ claims of little enforcement – if any – of STR regulations.
There is a long-standing saying in Lions Bay, “We are not West Vancouver.” The Official Community Plan Bylaw (OCP) states, “Policy development must be based on an understanding of Village values and issues.“
But the suggested amendments were troubling proof that bylaws written for larger municipalities are now deemed appropriate for Lions Bay. There was no consideration of the village’s unique location, lifestyle, resources or the kind of community residents wish to be.
Repeated assurances by the CAO that new policies and bylaws are simple updates and modernization are wearing thin. Proposed changes to STR regulations were anything but. Similarly, the recent, flawed rewrite of the Regional Context Statement proved to be seriously consequential, not merely improved language.
Of late the question as to who is running the village has been asked increasingly frequently.
How is it that non-elected staff are being allowed to assume the role of governing voice?
SIDE NOTE: A public hearing is the most minimal form of public consultation. a local government can select. It is designed to limit input and tick a box when new bylaws or amendments related to land use and density are being considered.
