By Times Chronicle Staff
The regional district is looking at a request to allow a mobile home on an Island Road property to address a housing need.
Regional planner Shannon Duong recommended the request be read a first and second time and proceed to a public hearing on Jan. 19.
The applicants state that “since housing prices have skyrocketed, first-time buyers are struggling to find a place in the market.”
The applicants want to offer their two sons inexpensive accommodation that would allow them to save money.
The subject property consists of a single detached dwelling, a shop, and the mobile home in question. The surrounding neighbourhood includes a mix of residential and agricultural development.
Duong said the property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve but classified as residential by BC Assessment. She noted the property has been issued a stop work notice for the placement of the mobile home without a valid building permit.
Duong said a housing needs assessment in 2021 identified a shortage of affordable housing options for families.
“These findings highlight the importance of identifying and encouraging affordable and suitable housing options,” she stated.
However, in a mobile home review in 2016, concerns were expressed about allowing these units in low density residential zones, she pointed out.
She also noted the impacts of residential uses on agricultural land; uses that do not support agricultural production. But she added the mobile home in this case is placed on a non-permanent foundation, which is preferable to a permanent dwelling that would remove land from future agricultural use.
Duong said the size and siting of the mobile home shouldn’t negatively impact the privacy or use of neighbouring parcels.
