Mayor John Henderson attempted to bring a notice of motion to District of Sechelt council March 19, asking that they approach the provincial government and request it suspends its short-term rental (STR-3) restrictions immediately, as a way to “help local communities address the economic challenges and uncertainties faced by Sechelt and others.”
But before that agenda item was even called, at the start of the meeting Coun. Alton Toth questioned the motion’s legality.
“I'm concerned about its being on the agenda at all, because I think clause one isn't a legal action and I don't think we as a municipality have the authority to override provincial law. So, I'm curious whether this should even be on the agenda tonight,” Toth told council.
Last May, the province brought in new rules to 65 communities across B.C. with populations of 10,000 or more, including Sechelt, which restrict STR units to principal residences and secondary suites or “accessory dwelling units,” such as laneway houses. This means stand-alone homes, condos or apartments can no longer be used as short-term vacation rentals, a move meant to return those units back to the rental market.
In Sechelt, which relies heavily on tourism to maintain the economy, the restriction has been heavily argued from both perspectives, especially due to the low rental stock not only in the district, but across the Sunshine Coast.
Once the agenda item was called, Henderson told council he believes that while his motion might not be “perfect,” it’s a product of changing times.
“I'm not trying to bring back something that we debated at length over the last couple of years, but I'm really aware from talking to people in the community. I'm aware of the empty storefronts on Cowrie Street that politics and elections and all that stuff, things have changed, and I guess you'll notice in my motion it starts with the word ‘resilience,’ and I think that is something that we need to focus on for the foreseeable future...”
Henderson noted many local hotels and motels are already full with temporary construction and health-care workers, so opening up short-term rentals would give tourists more options. He added, he’s also aware many residents were very unhappy when STR-3 units were allowed due to noise, partying, parking and garbage complaints so part of his motion included a proposal for increased bylaw enforcement.
But the rest of council was not convinced and appeared unimpressed with the mayor’s argument.
Coun. Adam Shepherd said he’s well aware the business community — tourism in particular — is very important to Sechelt’s economy. He noted while local hotels may be busy, that’s not the case with the short-term rentals available through Airbnb.
“In fact, one of the people writing into council did a quick canvas of Airbnbs over the summer coming up and found vacancies. So, there are units available for rent,” said Shepherd. “Would allowing more type threes to open provide more space? Of course it would. And it would help the community, but as you've already mentioned, we're facing a backlash already from type-three licenses still having problems where people are already illegally [renting them out.]”
Shepherd noted he agreed with Henderson’s argument that an increase in long-term rental stock has yet to be proven as the result of the new legislation, but added, restricting them is the law.
Toth said he did a quick search of Airbnb during the ongoing discussion and there were 113 units available to rent in Sechelt during the Festival of the Written Arts, a particularly busy week in August.
“So, we've got lots. I'm really not interested in changing the rules at this time, especially in the face of the provincial laws that are in place,” said Toth. “I was on a local government round-table call last week, week before, and the minister was very clear that the province is not interested in changing the rules when it comes to short-term rentals. And you know, even if I was supportive of this, there's nothing the District of Sechelt is going to do to change the provincial minds. They've been very clear.”
Coun. Brenda Rowe told council she would not be supporting the motion.
“I don't think we should be spending energy on items that just go in the face of provincial legislation. And I think there's other things we need to be putting our advocacy hat to,” said Rowe. “You know, this was years and years of, advocating of communities, neighbourhoods talking to us about this issue. This was a major, major issue in the 2018 election and it took us almost until the end of the term to get somewhere. This is very, very important to our community.”
By the end of the discussion, Henderson told council he believes they have every right to go to the province with such a request.
“As far as the provincial government, I have a different view. I think that we should be in front of them with everything. It doesn't have to be adversarial, but to explain, perhaps, what is unique about Sechelt and why that we should be treated differently, is something that I think is fundamental to what we do as municipal elected officials,” said Henderson, who added, having said that, he can "read the room," and would let the matter go.
Henderson did not read his motion at the meeting.
