Letter from District of Metchosin re: Homes for People Action Plan

Re: Homes for People Action Plan

Thank you for your letter to the District of Metchosin regarding notification of the Housing Supply Act and Regulations (May 31, 2023). On behalf of the District Council, I am writing to express our support for the provincial government's commitment to addressing the housing crisis, including providing supportive housing for those who are homeless, making secondary suites legal across the province, addressing short-term vacation rental (STVR) regulations, and introducing a flipping tax.

We recognize that solving the housing crisis requires that local government and the Province work collaboratively. We are hopeful that as the provincial plan continues to evolve, it will be structured so that a significant change in housing density will occur in areas well served by infrastructure and amenities.

Metchosin is part of the Capital Regional District (CRD) and only one of two municipalities fully outside the Urban Containment Policy Area (UCPA), as identified in the CRD’s Regional Growth Strategy. A core element of the UCPA is a focus on growth in urban areas, such that only 5% of the region's net new dwellings are built outside of the growth boundary.

The UCPA reflects the fact that Metchosin does not have the infrastructure to support large-scale residential or commercial development. Metchosin is not connected to the regional sewage system and large areas of our residential base rely on wells for their water. Public transit services are limited.

Valued for its forested and agricultural lands, Metchosin plays an important role in the overall livability of the region. Metchosin is the gateway to four of the CRD's major parks. The forests and pasturelands within Metchosin play an increasingly important role as a regional carbon sink and home for biodiversity. Metchosin contains large areas of the region's agricultural potential, with a significant portion of the District in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Preserving these features is important not only to Metchosin, but to the entire CRD, as the region continues to densify in urban and suburban areas. In light of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, it is critical to protect and enhance existing green and wild spaces.

Housing options do exist in Metchosin. The District of Metchosin permits attached secondary suites in all zones and since 2012 detached secondary suites on lots that are 0.8 hectares or greater. We will continue to discuss our rural housing policies including a review of STVRs and their impact on our housing stock; we look forward to learning more about your plans for stronger regulation of STVRs.

Recognizing the serious nature of the housing crisis in BC, and particularly in the CRD, Metchosin supports regional efforts to address the issue. Our goal with this letter is to note the significant differences that exist between municipalities in their ability and capacity to respond in a sustainable manner to accelerated residential growth.

We would be pleased to have further conversations with you and your staff regarding our concerns with the Homes for People Action Plan.

Sincerely,

Marie-Térèse Little Ph.D. Mayor

cc: CRD Municipalities MLA Mitzi Dean MP Randall Garrison