The provincial government has required the adoption of small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) bylaws across B.C. to accommodate future housing needs, which at first blush seems like a great idea.
Reading the provincial documents, there seems to be a few big things missing in the policy. Infrastructure for all these new homes. No mention of new schools, hospitals, and transit.
Here is an excerpt relating to water: “The provisions of the SSMUH legislation that require local governments to update their zoning bylaws to permit a minimum density of three to six units only apply where the land is served by both a water system and sewer system provided as a service by a municipality or regional district, but not an improvement district.”
The municipality is responsible for upgrades to water, sewer etc., like it would be any development. OK, cool.
Section 8.4, development financing, is a real wonder.
“The SSMUH legislation is intended to help facilitate housing supply, which will likely create demand for new or expanded infrastructure from local governments,” it reads. “To address this demand, local governments have a range of financing tools available to acquire and construct new assets. The key development finance tools set out in legislation include subdivision servicing charges, development cost charges (DCCs) and new provisions for amenity cost charges (ACCs).”
As we expand here in Whistler, can we direct future DCCs and ACCs to pay for items such as new schools, hospitals, and transit? At a minimum, Whistler must demand the provincial government provide solid plans for financing regional transit, health-care, schools and a train service to meet the increase in population density before moving forward.
