‘Going to make the situation worse’: B.C. mayor pushes back on housing targets – BC | 24CA News
A B.C. mayor is pushing again towards the province after being “given housing targets” to fast-track extra houses inside the municipality.
District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little stated transportation infrastructure must be addressed earlier than the municipality focuses on constructing new houses.
“We are seeing on a daily basis traffic congestion. It’s long lineups to the North Shore and long lineups back off the North Shore. That challenge is seven days a week,” he instructed Global News.
“Any time we talk about growth in our community it has to be connected to investments in infrastructure — both in transit and in transportation, like an upgrade to the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.”
On Wednesday, the B.C. authorities gave 10 municipalities “housing targets.”
Those chosen have probably the most important housing wants and the best projected inhabitants development, in keeping with the province.
Little stated he has instructed the province about his issues, particularly centred round visitors congestion points which have plagued the world for years.
“We do have a commitment from them to sit down and talk to us about it,” he stated.
“I just don’t think we can have those conversations unless we have commitments to transit and bridge infrastructure improvements along the way.
“It is probably going to make the situation worse.”
The mayor stated if the housing targets have been extra centered on reasonably priced housing it might probably assist their visitors points, because it might take away staff from their commute routes, however he stated as a result of it’s not, it may very well be “disastrous for our community.”
All of the communities on this checklist have to organize a five-year plan for development that will probably be offered to the province.
The chosen municipalities are:
- City of Abbotsford
- City of Delta
- City of Kamloops
- District of North Vancouver
- District of Oak Bay
- City of Port Moody
- District of Saanich
- City of Vancouver
- City of Victoria
- District of West Vancouver
B.C.’s Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon stated if these municipalities present indicators of not assembly their given targets, the province might step in.
The housing targets will probably be set after consultations over the summer season and the progress of municipalities will probably be assessed after six months.
“For those communities that are having challenges after six months, we have the ability to bring in an independent advisor who will help find where the barriers may be and help them make progress,” Kahlon stated.
“If we find that that progress isn’t being made, then we have the ability as a province to step in and make the decisions we believe are necessary to ensure affordable housing in communities.”
The Housing Supply Act offers the province the flexibility to set housing targets in municipalities, which can assist “encourage” them to “address local barriers to construction” in order that housing could be constructed sooner, the province stated.
The Housing Supply Act is a part of the province’s Homes for People motion plan.
The province additionally introduced amendments to finish strata bylaws proscribing homeowners from renting their models and to restrict adult-only age restrictions in sure buildings, besides seniors’ housing.
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