Is a duplex, fourplex, sixplex or even bigger complex being built down the street that seems like a complete surprise to you? This is going to be a common occurrence moving forward, after the province passed overreaching housing bills, in particular Bills 44, 46 and 47 which among other things, allow for multi unit housing to be built on any municipal lot with appropriate services and prohibit public hearings on these projects. Anyone who has followed me as an elected official know how much I support increasing the supply of all type of housing in Penticton. But what I support even more is the right of our citizens to have a say in just how our community is developed. These bills are a direct attack on democracy. The province has informed every local government in BC that if there is any push back on these new bills (for example, if we were to decide to hold a public hearing because council felt the neighbourhood had a right to be heard) that there would be consequences, one of which would be that provincial authorities would step in to enforce the new policies themselves. If you have concerns and/or want to find out more about these sweeping changes to our community, let's have coffee.
(250) 809-2897
