I honestly haven’t fully got my head around the proposed setbacks (which will increase setbacks from zero to 2.5 metres on certain lots downtown abutting Pemberton Avenue, Victoria Street, Vancouver Street, Second Avenue and Third Avenue), but as far as I can glean none of our democratic rights are at stake and any proposed change would have zero cost to the homeowner.
With these parameters in mind it is apparent that we seem to have some out of town speculators who see this as being harmful to their return on speculation even though in principle it may be good for some vision of the community.
The speculators complain of lack of consultation, but judging by the attendance I would say consultation wasn’t the problem, more like the changes did not reflect their pocketbook concerns, nor should it.
The return, rather than 280 per cent could be 220 per cent – well isn’t that awful. This isn’t a situation where someone is going to die or something – just some carpetbaggers will make a little less. That is how speculation works, sometimes chicken some times feathers – only in this case it is just not as much chicken.
The local property owners affected by this proposed change should weigh on the decision about 30 per cent, while the out-of-town owner should get no more than two per cent weight.
I thought a grave injury was immanent, but now I see a few people fear it will damage the profit potential, getting down to the pepper in this case is relatively easy.
Now all I am trying to understand is why our council will not retrench when it comes to raising the taxes of the homeowner, but in this case they seem to be prepared to revisit this. Maybe the council only responds to protest and have no internal judiciary compass when it comes to getting the taxpayer to pay more.
- Dave Colledge
Brackendale
