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Dear Re: Business Regulation and Business Licence By-law Amendments Public Meeting, Saturday, Oct.

Dear Re: Business Regulation and Business Licence By-law Amendments Public Meeting, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002:

On the evening prior to the public meeting held at Myrtle Philip Community School, it came to our attention that possession of a business licence by TA zoned homeowners could cause the B.C. Assessment Authority to automatically change the mill rating on our properties from Class 1 to Class 6. This would result in a three-fold increase in our property taxes. We are given to understand, in informal legal consultations, that this is a realistic expectation.

In the RMOW Web site FAQs regarding the Business Licence By-law Amendment, the municipality states: "There is no financial impact and no impact to your property tax assessment or property tax classification." Clearly, the RMOW is making a statement it has no right to make. Property tax classifications are determined by the province, not by municipalities. In this matter, the potential impact upon homeowners is not insignificant; it is huge.

In the matter of enforcement of zoning regulations on owners of illegally rented residentially zoned property, resolution via business licensing, as proposed by the RMOW, is plagued by two key issues: first, staff is ill-informed and ill-prepared to deal effectively with the problem of illegal property rentals; and second, law abiding TA zoned owners will bear the brunt of punishment for their non-law abiding neighbours.

During the last several weeks, RMOW staff has made significant efforts to consult with stakeholders in this issue and they are to be commended. They have opened the channels of communication both offering and inviting exchanges of information. I believe it is fair to say that those included in these exchanges shared a common concern for the welfare of the municipality. Nonetheless, at every juncture, staff's preparation to answer significant challenges is minimal. We are convinced that either staff is seeking advice in the wrong places, or it is seeking the wrong advice.

RMOW staff insists that their objective is simultaneously to improve their enforcement tools and to protect TA zoned homeowners. While we do not fault them for the former, we seriously question the latter. The potential effects of a business licence range from bureaucratic hurdles to a 300 per cent increase in taxes. This can hardly be construed as protection. There must be another answer to the problem of illegal rentals.

Several highly knowledgeable lawyers spoke at the public meeting on Saturday, all of them re-asserting the opinion that, with the existing B.C. Court of Appeal ruling in hand, the RMOW already has the very tool which it needs to enforce illegal rentals. Furthermore, the opinion was expressed that any attempt to use a new business licence regime to enforce those same illegal rentals will require the same evidentiary procedures which already exist in a zoning regime. Consequently, the RMOW would be no further ahead. This should lay to rest any notions that a business licensing regime will improve enforcement.

In conclusion, we urge the mayor and council to direct RMOW staff to seek other means of redress against illegal residentially zoned property rentals, than a business licence regime which unfairly impacts law abiding citizens who share a common interest in the greater good of the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

We look forward to a positive resolution to this issue and to continuing to build the relationship of shared communication which has begun in the last few weeks.

Lorraine Bennett

Whistler Homeowners Group

 

I just about came down with a migraine after attending the Saturday information meeting on this TA licensing idea. The possibility that TA property tax assessments could go up 300 per cent is frightening. Most property owners are upset with the current increase in taxes every year, and some are financially struggling.

I never did like the idea of TA owners being used as a means of helping out the enforcement of non-TA owners through business licensing. I definitely don't like the idea of financially subsidizing city hall through paying for a licence. Any enforcement costs should come out of general revenue.

To top it all off, the bylaw department said at the meeting that there are maybe only 25-30 non-TA owners "offending." They also said that the whole purpose of their enforcement actions and this TA licensing proposal, was to protect the financial interests and market share of "legitimate" TA rental owners. When asked if they had checked with all the property management companies and privately managed TA owners, to see if they were concerned about the small number of non-zoned renters, the bylaw department said that they had not done so.

It seems like the bylaw department is basing their actions on pressure and chronic complaints from three vocal people who were named at the meeting – John Richmond, Margi McGraw, and Lina Jacobs. That is a ridiculous and irresponsible way to operate a bylaw policy.

I hope city hall kills this silly licensing idea and fast.

Lise Butler

Whistler

 

When is someone going to call into question the half-truths, the misinformation and innuendoes of the media representative of BC Rail?

Please sir, do not insult my intelligence anymore than you already have!

You need to go back and review the history of the company. When the original rights-of-way were granted to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway that later became the Pacific Great Eastern and then BC Railway, the covenant was to run a passenger service in perpetuity.

In additional to the 729 miles of right-of-way, at 100 feet wide, large locks of Crown Land were turned over to the company; some of it was expropriated.

BC Rail claims the Budd cars are not repairable. Go into any truck building company where diesel engines, automatic transmissions, and differentials are found. This is an insult to the skilled workers of the company.

If the rolling stock plant in Squamish had not been closed down we could be building our own Budd cars.

BC Rail’s media representative claims the company is not making money. What happened to all the profits from the 500 to 700 rail lumber cars a day from January 2002 to May 1 st 2002? That calculates to 60,000 to 84,000 rail cars of softwood lumber! If the company did not turn a profit on this it may indicate a lot of mismanagement, or is this one of the subsidies the Americans are complaining about?

Where did the $16 million come from to buy the Whistler North Wind? Was this at the expense of the Budd Cars?

Why was there a new passenger station built in Pemberton?

Why is a private company planning to build a train depot in Whistler?

I hereby challenge Ted Nebbeling, Dave Chutter and other M.L.As up the line to demand that Gary Collins start a business and financial audit of BCR's holdings.

I have met off and on with middle management of BC Rail and have found them to be very efficient and professional, so where is the fault – too many political appointees?

Laurence C.C. Laursen

Birken

 

Fortunately I ran into Steve Bayley on Friday before reading the Pique, and I was embarrassed that Steve thought he had to defend the WHA because of my letter two weeks ago. I am a huge fan of the Whistler Housing Authority!

Steve, please accept this public clarification, it’s not the WHA I am frustrated with, it’s the current council. The WHA has done an incredible job with the resources they have, I’m frustrated that council hasn’t recognized that affordable housing is a high priority in this community. The WHA set some clear goals, and I’m not convinced that council is doing enough to facilitate the WHA in achieving those goals.

For example, here are some facts from the Whistler Housing Needs Assessment Survey 2002 Report:

FACT - The proportion of employees living outside municipal boundaries continues to increase. During the winters of 1998-1999 and 1999-2000, employers reported that 80 per cent and 79 per cent of their employees lived in Whistler. This proportion dropped to 77 per cent in 2000-2001 and further fell to 75 per cent in the 2001-2002 winter season.

FACT - According to employers, the unavailability of affordable housing continues to be the main reason for employee shortages in Whistler.

FACT - The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation defines affordability as 30 per cent of an individual's monthly income. Last year’s survey indicated that 48 per cent of Whistler employees spend over 30 per cent of their income on rent, and 22 per cent of employees pay over 40 per cent of their income on rent. Over 44 per cent of employees claimed that their rent is unaffordable.

Meanwhile council actually contemplates an option of accepting $6.5 million in community cash benefits for the library/museum capital campaign and to pay off the Millennium Place debt – both of which to my understanding were not intended to come from public coffers. Don’t forget the additional $5 million council already has offered to match the museum fund raising efforts! Now imagine that $6.5 million going towards helping the WHA achieve its goal – what a concept!

I would also like to clarify that I’m not just whining and waiting for council to do something. I am involved in a small local business. Last year we rented a two-bedroom townhome for staff housing, this year we have added a four-bedroom house. Our ratio of staff to subsidized housing is probably pretty high, I know that the mountains and a number of other employers also take housing very seriously; I’m curious how the municipality as an employer measures up with their employee housing needs.

Steve, Tim, and all the others at the Whistler Housing Authority keep up the good work. If a position on the board ever becomes available give me a call.

Bob Lorriman

Whistler

 

I am the Ruth who came across and then decided to do something about the little lost "Soul" who was broken and suffering on the side of the road in Mount Currie (WAG advertisement, Oct. 4).

I drove by that dog once and convinced myself she was OK. I made my mind believe that she wasn't badly hurt and her family had her checked out and her body would heal. Hours passed and I was returning from my appointment and realized that no, she wasn't OK. The dog was in horrible pain and no one was going to help her, euthanasia or otherwise.

I pulled over, approached her, and despite her pain she wagged her tail, cowered and asked for nothing. I picked her up, put her in my car, and drove to the vet's office. She whined quietly. I arrived and without hesitation the girls from the office carried her inside. Even now their compassion and kindness touches my heart.

Soul’s three breaks in her leg and dislocated shoulder along with termination of her pregnancy was taken care of on Thursday. They also spayed her. For anyone that isn't aware this is a simple operation, which prevents unwanted puppies. It goes hand in hand with taking on the responsibility of owning a dog!

I am well aware that most sad animal stories have an equally sad ending. I am also aware that this little dog represents a tiny speck on the face of a massive social problem. Finally, I also know that my tiny effort with that tiny speck began a chain reaction of wonderful, compassionate, caring people who ultimately did make a difference to that one dog, and that's good enough for me.

Good Luck Soul.

Ruth Noden

Pemberton

 

Our council will possibly vote to officially endorse the 2010 winter Olympic Bid on Monday, Oct. 21.

While I personally believe the winter Olympics would be an exciting two week sporting event, I am not convinced all "legacies" that come with this bid are in Whistler's best interest.

While many legacies are sure to please most Whistlerites, others will have far reaching impacts that deserve much more public consultation then they have been given to date.

I was disappointed to hear at last Monday's council meeting that the transportation legacy many were hoping for will not simply be a safer highway, but a bigger highway, bringing a three lane highway to Function Junction. I fail to see how this fits with Whistler's Transportation Strategy goal to reduce demand for cars instead of increasing the supply of roads. The provincial ministry forecasts a 40 per cent increase in traffic in our region over the next 25 years but I question those figures as Whistler reaches build-out, Pemberton has limited growth opportunities, and the Hurley Road is being closed to regular traffic. "If you build it, they will come," and if anything, it is a bigger highway that will fuel growth.

I am also concerned with the renewed interest this will bring to go ahead with the construction of the Creekside highway bypass right-of-way south of Alta Lake, or even the Whistler highway bypass right-of-way on the slopes of Sproatt and Rainbow mountains.

I also seriously question the land bank legacy, especially if its in the Callaghan Valley. The construction of a residential/commercial employee village of up to 8,000 bed units, 15 minutes south of Whistler Village, does not fit with our goal of retaining employees living in our community, to say nothing of the transportation issues. The concept of an employee subdivision somewhere in Whistler must be considered, but I would really like to have some assurances that if land is set aside for this purpose, it will not relieve the municipality from the responsibility to find ways of keeping employees living within our existing neighbourhoods.

And then there is the development of Lot 1 and 9 between the Brew Pub and the medical clinic. I sadly accept that this ancient forest will be developed one day, but I question if another, bigger arena, is the best use of that prime space.

While I am excited at the prospect of the Winter Olympics coming to Whistler, I question whether all the "legacies" that come with this bid will really make Whistler a better place to live and work in the future. I wish we could have worked more with council to produce a truly winning bid, and talked more about housing solutions, transportation solutions, and other opportunities. The public consultation process that is leading our council to vote on the Olympics has been only slightly better then the process that took us through the WEF. And this time again, the best opportunity for council to hear from the public will take place at the eleventh hour just prior to council's vote. There must be a better way.

I hope residents will make their views known before the Oct. 21 vote.

Stéphane Perron

Whistler

 

I appreciated John Konig's eloquent and thoughtful letter in last week's Pique, and concur with all his insightful and logical points. I particularly endorse his suggestion on the development of rental suites in homes to be built.

Everyone knows that Whistler desperately needs rental suites for its workers now and in the future. However, the only effective and respectful way of trying to get more rental suites in new homes, is to encourage not coerce. It sets the right tone for an enlightened and educated community to apply that approach. The opposite approach sends a very different message.

If people building a new home are "sold" on the benefits through positive persuasion, then there will be co-operation not irritation. For example, appealing to their sense of community spirit, enlightened self-interest in terms of revenue, and security and peace of mind by having a local presence in their suite for fire and burglary protection, especially if the owner is a second property owner.

By offering the incentive of adding extra square footage to build the one- or two-bedroom suite, over and above the current square footage allowed for the home, the homeowner does not need to compromise on their own available living space. This approach is a win/win for everyone. The extra building cost incurred by the owner for the rental suite, can be easily off-set and amortized over time by the rental suite revenue.

I would also propose that council consider extending the above policy to owners of existing homes. That is, to permit adding on a one- or two-bedroom rental suite, where space is available. Why not adopt this approach? Everyone benefits.

Unfortunately, the current mindset by city hall seems to be pre-occupied by the power-tripping joys of enforcing compliance through threat of litigation. I see no constructive ideas. The only construction that I see happening is bureaucratic empire-building in the bylaw department. This is a destructive attitude for any community to permit, especially a small community. It is alienating and divisive.

The current negative and punitive attitude of city hall and council needs to change. They must be expected and required to apply a much higher standard of behaviour and set of positive and inclusive community values. Hopefully, the upcoming election will get new candidates elected who can bring that enlightened attitude and style to council. Then council will have the daunting challenge to commence the much-needed civic and civil re-education process of certain bureaucrats in city hall.

Dave Robertson

Vancouver

 

My little contribution to society

September 29, 2002 was a day of wonder. People from at least three different countries came together in the pouring rain to learn a little bit about the Whistler Valley and help to preserve it so that other people can enjoy it for years to come. I’m speaking about the ‘Ghost Town’ on the northeast end of Green Lake, Parkhurst as it was know in its day. Thirty families or so, lived there on the Shore of Green Lake in a little train stop on the PGE railroad originally know as Mile 42.

B.C. Rivers Day brought people from Seattle (whom I had stopped in the street), Japan (Tamwood International College), and Canada, together on one of the worst days of the fall so far. We cleaned up what is known as John’s Garden and the cabin that John lived in for 11 years. Beer cans, part of a couch, lots of glass, and most of a four door Chevette that somehow made it out there. In reality, only 34 people or so trespassed to do their bit.

Frankly I’m surprised that some of the tour groups that operate in these areas didn’t see fit to show support. Whatever. I feel I did my bit to help an area that I love to visit, and that’s what I go home with.

Many of the business people that I spoke with gave their support within seconds of hearing my schpeal. I had about $1,000 in prizes and beer to boot. Whistler Outdoor Experience gave 150 per cent of their support, without Tim it definitely would not have happened.

Ideally, the Parkhurst site should be turned into a working museum with a demonstration house, log mill, and whatever else that could shift tourists away from our precious River Of Golden Dreams. Think Old Fort Henry or Upper Canada Village. What a perfect place.

Take a walk on the Green Lake Loop and discover for yourself what life sort of looked like in the ‘Good Old Days’. More information can be found online at http://ca.geocities.com/whistler, including a full sponsorship list as well as photos and a brief history from John Nolder himself.

Thanks again everyone,

Chris Lentz

Crusader for Heritage

Whistler

 

Re: Elizabeth Manso Visiting Volunteers

For anyone searching for a sense of community in Whistler, you need look no further than the Elizabeth Manso Visiting Volunteers, a caring group of people giving their time and energy for the good of individuals in the community.

This summer, a sudden flu attack left us in need and two wonderful ladies, Eileen and Lisa came to our rescue. They gave our baby boy incomparable care and even tidied up for us. We would like to thank them immensely for their generosity.

Although I am not able to help the volunteers at this time, I understand they are recruiting new volunteers. They can be reached through the Whistler Community Services Society at 604-932-0113.

Kat Sullivan

Whistler

 

In early August of this year I had major surgery. The support I received from family, friends and the Whistler community was overwhelming. Letters, cards, phone calls and visits of well wishing were numerous.

A successful fundraiser was held in my honour by Dale and Big Rich. I wish I was there. Here too, the support from the entire community was tremendous.

The community rallied and has made the process of recovery that much easier. That which seemed so far off is now near. This weekend I hope to be home in Whistler to celebrate a very special Thanksgiving.

Thank you everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.

John Chalk

Whistler

 

The Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group would like to extend a huge thank you to all who participated in B.C. Rivers Day Festivities on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Every year this festival seems to be growing in size and in local participation; due entirely to the large number of people who volunteer their time for this province-wide celebration.

Special thanks to Tim Malone and the Whistler Outdoor Experience (WOE) gang, who donated the use of their facilities at the Edgewater Lodge, as well as barbecues, canoes and kayaks, and lots of great tips about boating in B.C.’s waterways.

Tim also made his annual contribution to the WFSG, which will be used for habitat restoration projects in the Whistler Valley.

Bruce at Nesters Market ensured that we were all fed during the festival, by providing enough burgers and hot-dogs for 100 people! Thank you to Chris for organizing a very successful clean-up of Parkhurst, to Helen of the Whistler Museum & Archives Society, Grahame Marpole, and to all those who came out to celebrate the health and beauty of B.C.’s waterways.

The Rivers Day festival is a clear example of just how many people live in Whistler who care about their local environment, and who make a conscious effort to help raise awareness about its integrity and value. Way to go, Whistler!

Lisa Helmer

Heather Beresford

Veronica Sommerville

Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group