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chalet zoning

Whistler will attempt to address the demand for chalet- and villa-style accommodation by creating spot zoning for what is currently illegal tourist accommodation.

Whistler will attempt to address the demand for chalet- and villa-style accommodation by creating spot zoning for what is currently illegal tourist accommodation. However support for the move, which received first, second and third reading from council Monday, was not unanimous. Tour operators, property managers and home owners who want to use homes as chalet or villa accommodation will have to apply to have their properties rezoned, just as pension and bed and breakfast operations have to be rezoned. That will generally mean that a rezoning application will have to be supported by neighbours before it is approved. "I don’t think we’re putting a system in place that people will understand," Councillor Ted Milner said in opposing the move. "Our goal is to not have commercial businesses in residential neighbourhoods that disrupt neighbours." Mayor Hugh O’Reilly disagreed. "My gut feeling is that’s not what’s going to happen. People will do our work for us. They will canvas their neighbourhood (to ascertain the level of support) before applying for rezoning," O’Reilly said. A report by staff anticipates 200 applications for chalet or villa zoning. The bylaws given three readings Monday include a limit on how many commercial operations will be allowed in each neighbourhood. Council also lifted the moratorium on new pension and bed and breakfast applications.