Good news for Kelowna homeowners wanting to add secondary suites.

They are now exempt from development cost charges (DCCs) under the city香蕉视频直播檚 updated DCC bylaw. The news is not good for anyone wanting to build a carriage home on their property. The DCC for such a project will now be approximately $25,000.

The city has previously subsidized carriage homes and secondary suites, charging a flat rate of $2,500. Those dwellings would pay a much higher DCC normally, but the difference is borne by taxation, according to Joel Parisien with the city.

香蕉视频直播淏ut as part of this update, the ministry has said you can no longer provide a direct subsidy to one specific development category and not the others, you have to have a blanket approach.香蕉视频直播�

A carriage home would pay slightly less in DCCs than an apartment, added Parisien. The change did not still well with incumbent council candidate Mohini Singh.

香蕉视频直播淚 feel in this climate where we香蕉视频直播檙e facing such a strong housing crunch it香蕉视频直播檚 still another form of rental housing,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t also serves to be a mortgage helper for a person who香蕉视频直播檚 trying to hold on to their primary residence.香蕉视频直播�

Singh said she could support a small increase, but not $25,000.

香蕉视频直播淚 feel this hurts homeowners who are looking for mortgage assist and rental houses on their property. Also, people looking for rental homes.香蕉视频直播�

Secondary suites outstrip carriage houses five-to-one and are treated as a specific residential development by the city, according to Parisien. It香蕉视频直播檚 estimated that 30 per cent of single-family homes in Kelowna will be built with secondary suites or carriage houses.

Singh was opposed to the adoption of the new bylaw.

READ MORE: Advance polls open in Kelowna

READ MORE: Central Okanagan transit strike to be halted by arbitrator

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.