Letter to the editor
“At the end of the day, board members will digest all of the information, including the checks and balances, and make their decision. That’s what we elected them for.” (The Pioneer, Feb. 20 edition)
Unfortunately, board members’ decisions may not be in the best interests of those who elected them as evidenced by the procedures set in place for short term rentals (STRs).
The province of British Columbia recognized the many issues relevant to STRs and initiated a plan to control and enforce what has become a concern not only locally but across Canada.
The RDEK resolved to introduce its own regulations without any forethought as to how to bring about enforcement. It is difficult to see this as other than a cash grab when the RDEK instituted methods to collect licensing fees without any thought as to how to ensure that the regulations are adhered to. The RDEK flounders in its responses to issues brought by the full-time residents that elected them.
Based on recent comments by MLA Scott McInnis in the March 27 Pioneer, I can only assume that the Conservative Party is blind to the many issues and complaints documented in previous issues of the Pioneer over the past year. It seems local councils and the RDEK have absolutely no power to protect our neighbourhoods in spite of their so-called licensing program.
The STR on our once quiet, private road invites upwards of 16 guests at a time and advertises parking for 12 vehicles. They (STR operators) are not licensed and have been operating for a year with impunity despite our complaints. This is a Calgarian who purchased a $784,000 home and rents it out for $700 a night. This is not a young family nor a senior supplementing their income, this is, pure and simple, an all-out business.
The RDEK email response to our complaints: “The compliance process can sometimes be a lengthy process and during this time we are not permitted to give details on an open compliance file. We do appreciate that this is sometimes frustrating to complainants, but we can assure you that we continue to work on files until we reach compliance, or an alternative solution is obtained.”
The owner of this STR has been flouting the rules for a year — there should be no question but to deny their permit.
We noted in the February 20 issue of the Pioneer that these issues are not limited to the RDEK (‘Council limits Westridge STR to eight guests’). It is extremely difficult to understand how Invermere council could issue a licence to an owner who only applied because they were sent warning letters, where four letters of opposition were submitted and where a petition was signed by 15 neighbours with various complaints. The council’s outlook was to “coax” the owners into applying for a licence thus subjecting the neighbourhood to another year of turmoil. Exactly how bad does an STR owner have to be to be denied a permit?
With regard to tourism and the economy, yes, STRs have their place. However, let’s make no mistake, many STRs are businesses operating on single-family, residence-zoned streets. The boards and councils in the Columbia Valley must protect its full-time residents by toughening its stance and actually denying some of these STRs.
Judy Fowler, Area G
