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Kelowna residents 㽶Ƶֱheard loud and clear㽶Ƶֱ at public hearing on short-term rentals

City looking to remove short-term rental accommodation as a permitted secondary use from all zones
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Approximaltey 200 people packed Kelowna City Council chambers to voice their concern about the city㽶Ƶֱs changes to short-term rentals. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)

After a n emotional 4.5-hour public hearing Tuesday (Nov. 21), Kelowna council deferred its decision on proposed changes to short-term rental bylaws.

The roughly 200 people in council chambers applauded several times after individuals spoke prompting Mayor Tom Dyas to remind the audience, more than once, that the behaviour wasn㽶Ƶֱt acceptable as it may intimidate others with different opinions from speaking.

After shouts of 㽶Ƶֱyes it is㽶Ƶֱ from the crowd, Dyas called for a 10-minute break.

㽶ƵֱThis is a place of decorum and order,㽶Ƶֱ Dyas said when the meeting resumed. 㽶ƵֱWe understand there are lots of emotions that people have with regard to their opinions. For the ones who are getting the applause, they㽶Ƶֱre comfortable, for the ones who are not, they㽶Ƶֱre not so comfortable.㽶Ƶֱ

There were no further interruptions after the mayor㽶Ƶֱs comments.

Of the 38 people who spoke 24 were against the proposed changes, nine were in favour and five asked council to defer the matter until there is more clarity from the provincial government on its short-term rental legislation.

㽶ƵֱWhenever there are situations like this that are going to affect individuals㽶Ƶֱ pocketbooks㽶Ƶֱthere is emotion,㽶Ƶֱ Dyas added. 㽶ƵֱWe were grateful that people came out and we had the opportunity to hear what they had to say.㽶Ƶֱ

Council is considering removing short-term rental accommodation as a permitted secondary use from all zones in the city, similar to newly introduced provincial legislation which will only allow renting a main residence, basement or secondary suite on a property where the owner lives a majority of the time.

Under the city㽶Ƶֱs proposed changes, any properties with valid secondary use short-term rental accommodation business licences would be permitted to continue operating.

There are also some areas of the city that are not affected by the proposed changes including parts of McKinley Beach Village Centre, properties on Sunset Drive, St. Paul Street, Abbott St., Lakeshore Road, Leon Avenue, KLO Road and Truswell Road.

Short-term legislation is not expected to be in place until May 2024 and many speakers questioned why council was considering making its decision before more information is available from the province.

㽶ƵֱThat was one thing that was heard very loudly,㽶Ƶֱ Dyas said.

Several speakers also urged council to advocate Kelowna㽶Ƶֱs uniqueness as a tourist destination to the provincial government.

Coun. Ron Cannan responded to that call in making the motion to defer the decision.

㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱd like to advocate a made-in-Kelowna policy that best meets the needs of our community. We㽶Ƶֱre trying to find that balance providing affordable housing for local residents, as well as offering alternative, affordable accommodation,㽶Ƶֱ he said.

Councillors Loyal Wooldridge and Maxine DeHart recused themselves from the hearing, discussion and vote due to conflicts of interest.

Wooldridge operates a short-term rental licence, and DeHart works in the hospitality industry and owns two units on Sunset Drive.

Coun. Gord Lovegrove was the only vote against.

Staff told council there should be more information from the provincial government regarding its short-term rental legislation in the next two to three weeks.

READ MORE: Feds applaud B.C. moves to limit short-term rentals



Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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