By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The saga continues in the temporary use permit issue for a vacation rental on Vaseux Lake.
The applicants, Grant Temple and Michelle McCreavy recently won a battle with the regional district over alleged “procedural abnormalities” in the way the board handled their original application. It was argued that the applicants were denied vital information that eventually swayed the board’s decision after it denied the application for 3136 Vaseux Lake Crescent.
Area D director Ron Obirek said some people in the community had raised concerns about the vacation rental and the impact on the neighbourhood.
Following another meeting, the board waived the customary waiting period of 12 months before the couple could re-apply.
In the latest turn of events, the applicants requested the board also waive the $2,500 administration fee. But staff recommended the fee not be waived.
Chief Administrative Officer Bill Newell said waiving the fee may contravene a provision in the Local Government Act, which states the board “must not provide assistance to an industrial, commercial or business undertaking.”
Newell said the $2,500 covers staff time and advertising costs.
Temple recently addressed the board, thanking directors for recognizing the procedural abnormalities.
He said their request to waive the fee is a direct result of having to re-apply for the permit. He questioned the fairness of charging another $2,500 when errors, not of their doing, were acknowledged.
“This is not assistance to a business but a reduction for a board-imposed fee. I’m not asking for something for free, I’m simply asking the board to make this right and give us a fair chance to legalize our home for potential rentals.”
Temple said if they are forced to pay another $2,500, that would bring their cost for one permit to more than $5,775, noting they are on a fixed income.
Director Karla Kozakevich said she didn’t support charging the applicants another $2,500, which is “ridiculous.” In the end, the board voted to have the applicants pay all third-party costs, yet to be determined.
