We (BP Short Term Accom. Group) have requested from the Municipality a synopsis of the complaints filed in the past years about short term accommodations. We need to know the problem BEFORE we can suggest or agree with solutions.
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As indicated in a reply to another thread on this forum, the municipality is aggregating data with regard to issues which have been encountered with regard to the growth of STAs in the municipality. The municipality is not unique in identifying such issues, nor in determining that the matter should be reviewed. The municipality however has no preconceptions as to the outcome of a review. A wide range of input is being sought. This also includes an exploration of the benefits of STAs. Should the review indicate that there are problems, either current or potential, which require municipal action, these problems will be clearly identified. Input will be sought on the nature of any issues, the need for any action and the nature of any solutions. Working together constructively we can address the concerns of all who have an interest in the matter.
Hello. We are as a group of over 100, working to assist in finding solutions for the STA issues. The logical place to start is to have an understanding of the complaints that have been submitted to the municipality in the past, including this year. A large number of complaints about noise for example is more an issue dealt with by the OPP. The number of complaints to a certain cottage rental would be something the municipality should already be dealing with, if there are repeat complaints then bylaw enforcement should already be happening. With this information, we would be able to reply to the questions in the survey better. Is this not a place where we can start? We have requested this information through formal means to the municipality.
Noise limits are set by by laws I believe. If this true the OPP will not enforce it.
Data regarding complaint rates has been published in this forum at the article The Matter of Complaints Regarding STAs. As you will notice the data is not complete and does not fully outline the issues. However, it is also important to note that this review is not being driven by current complaints. The municipality is taking a proactive approach to reviewing STAs including both the benefits they provide and the issues that have occurred or may occur. The process is intended to be inclusive and constructive to determine and address local needs.
Not sure what or who the "BP Short Term Accom. Group" is but if there are 600 STA's including B&B out of say 5096 private dwelling (2016 census) and 1933 usually occupied dwellings (2016 census), owned by a subset people given some are multi STA owners, then the vast majority of the other residents here and the committed capital of those people is significantly larger who are not operators of STA or B&B so let's assume ANY group here is at least of no greater importance than anyone else. We all have a right to have our say, civilly and with respect and we need to allow council to run their process, act and if necessary appeal the matter as required to higher authority. I have watched organized groups stifle open discourse and I applaud council for this site and this process and the attempt to at least hear from folks before we allow them to do their job. Folks please have your say here.
That is a totally fair assertion. Everybody has a a finger in the pie so to speak. However, there was some rationale to launch this initiative, and spend taxpayer dollars on external consultants, therefore, wouldn't it be prudent to release the source of data which initiated this review? To put plainly: I don't like hidden agendas and false pretenses. If STAs are really a problem, let us see the data. There has been an influx of tourism to the area (STA or not), and perhaps the problems are not isolated to STAs. Perhaps there should be equal weight given to limiting tourism in general? No council has ever done anything "proactively" without there being an underlying cause, so all that is asked is to review the genuine, underlying data, and cause for this review. I think many STA owners agree that prudent ownership and proper vetting of renters is absolutely paramount. The fact that "BP Short Term Accom. Group" is asking to see a dataset to either endorse or dispute is not unreasonable. The fact that the tasked consultant is skirting the issue, and initiates a seemingly one sided survey should speak volumes to potential hidden agendas and false pretexts.
@paul there is some data available (on this forum actually). I too think the municipality would have spent their dollars better dealing with the HUGE influx of visitors that are coming to the area. Perhaps some literature with vital information for the tourists?
@Shari Chambers I will review for sure. However, based on the statement from "contact": "As you will notice the data is not complete and does not fully outline the issues.", this sounds like cherry picking to me. I will review regardless, but I would like to know what the real issues actually are. "Follow the money" as they say.
-The contact statement is, to put it bluntly, wrong. And beyond that it's misleading.
-The issue was as brought up during the election campaign - the number of complaints received by the Township re rented cottages.
-The complaint data was kept a secret for months by the Township and when finally released for 2017 to 2019 the complaint data revealed that there was essentially no problem as was discussed by others.
-The contact then referred to other terms of reference that "needed to be looked at" which is an example of Project scope growth to feed consultants - as used to be said.
-Other readers have expanded the conversation to zoning regulations and legalities - which are important and germaine topics but not with respect to the current issue. They are fodder for the New Zoning bylaw discussions that will be taken up next year lead by trained provincial planners that are well paid by the Township for their services and experetise.
- To attempt to discuss such topics now would be just a case of the blind leading the blind.
- So let's remember the over riding topic of the last election campaign - save money! Our taxes are way too high for the services received.