Coun. Tara Ney has introduced a resolution to implement secondary suites in Oak Bay.
This resolution is not in accordance with what a majority of the residents in Oak Bay want.
The present prohibition of suites is not causing a problem for the vast majority of residents.
However the legalization of suites will increase the population density Oak Bay, reduce the availability of on street parking, increase traffic congestion, increase the amount of crime, increase noise, increase the demand for essential services, and harm the unmatched neighborhood character of Oak Bay.
The resolution says that the majority of residents support the regulation of secondary suites. However that is not in accordance with two surveys that the district conducted in the fall of 2016.
The first were comments made by over 300 residents following residential infill meetings held by the district;
61 per cent of the respondents said that they did not want secondary suites in their neighborhood.
The second were the responses of over 500 people to a Community Satisfaction Survey; residents were asked to name the most important issue and any other important local issues facing Oak Bay.
Only six per cent said that allowing secondary suites was an important issue in this district
The recent 2016 surveys show us that: a very small minority of residents see the legalization of secondary suites as being an important issue; and a majority of residents do not want secondary suites in their neighborhoods.
This resolution is not in accordance with what the majority of Oak Bay’s residents think about secondary suites.
If it is passed it will reject the majority’s wish not to have secondary suites legalized in this district
Bruce Filan
Oak Bay