Squamish is well on the way to using the relatively new rental zoning powers the province gave municipalities last year.
During their July 16 meeting, council voted unanimously in favour passing the first two readings of the bylaw and its associated OCP amendment.
It will proceed to public hearing.
Coun. Armand Hurford did not vote, as he recused himself from council during the decision due to a conflict of interest. His business, Republic Bicycles is in one of the affected properties.
If the bylaw makes it through third reading and adoption, this would ensure that 309 purpose-built rental units on 12 properties would be preserved — even if redevelopment occurs.
"The amendment will also establish an average unit size of 76.18 sq. m (820 sq. ft.) for the rental units," reads a report to council. "This average would apply in a redevelopment scenario, ensuring that new rental units span a range of sizes/bedrooms. The average unit sized was based on national rental data."
The affected properties would be:
1917-1927 Diamond Rd
40351-40361 Diamond Head Rd
1951 Garibaldi Way
1018 McNamee Pl
1090 Wilson Crescent
1098 Wilson Crescent
38861-38865 Buckley Ave
41340 Government Rd
38064A Cleveland Ave
38100 6th Ave
38201 Westway Ave
38170, 38180, 38190 Westway Ave
Last year, as one of its initiatives to address the ongoing housing shortage in the province, the provincial government passed legislation that would allow municipalities to create residential rental tenure zoning.
This would allow local governments to use zoning to ensure a certain amount of rental units were in an area.
