Ivan Radic / CC
Northern Bruce Peninsula is holding off on making adjustments to its Short-Term Accommodation (STA) licensing program, for now.
Council approved only receiving a report for information detailing amendments to the program during a meeting on Feb. 12, which would have reduced the cap of STAs in the municipality from 700 to 500. The amendment also would expand the program into rural and commercial zones.
It was recommended by Committee and Licensing Coordinator Lindsay Forbes to first post the amendments on the municipality’s engagement website Let’s Talk NBP to hear from residents on their thoughts to the amendment.
This comes after council had directed Forbes on Dec. 11 to come back with a report on amending the program.
Coun. Laurie Golden voiced her support with lowering the cap to 500.
“I have not heard anyone really object to us lowering that,” says Golden.
Coun. Todd Dowd, however, says while he is in agreement for lowering the cap, he has a hard time with opening the program up and they need to look at a way to prevent the loss of affordable housing.
“I just question the need to include all of Northern Bruce Peninsula other than the commercial areas to have STAs on them,” says Dowd. “We don’t want to cater to the investors. I know people looking for houses and it’s difficult right now.”
Forbes says over the last two years, she has received several inquires into expanding the licensing program.
“A majority of the time, it has been individuals who have purchased after the by-law was implemented and they were not aware of the restrictions, or they are looking to purchase and they want to purchase for the intent of primarily renting it out and then utilizing it personally when it was not being rented out,” says Forbes.
Forbes says staff can bring a report back to council on Feb. 26 providing more details on the amendments.
Council approved just receiving the report for information.