-Public hearing on tenant protection bylaw March 3-
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 27, 2008-
By Chad IngramrnOsoyoos Times
With more and more condominium and resort developments being built in Osoyoos, the town is taking steps to protect those who may be displaced by development and construction.
Osoyoos's town planner has introduced a new bylaw that, if passed by council, would offer protection to tenants of mobile home parks and multiple-family housing units purchased by developers.
Osoyoos town council requested the creation of such a bylaw after it received a letter from the Manufactured Home Owners Association expressing concern over the issue of displacement.
The bylaw reads that developers must satisfactorily address the re-housing needs of vulnerable tenants, who could face serious problems obtaining alternative shelter on their own if they were displaced.
The bylaw would call for developers to send a notice to any tenants that could be displaced 30 days before submitting their first development application. That notice would have to include a list of all tenants being contacted, an overview of the redevelopment plans as well as time guidelines and the name of a contact person within the development organization whom tenants can reach easily.
Along with the notice, developers would also have to create a tenant relocation plan, including a financial compensation package.
Penticton and Oliver have similar bylaws, although regulations in those communities cover only tenants of mobile home parks.
This is probably a little bit overdue, said Coun. Stu Wells, speaking in favour of the bylaw.
A public hearing on the draft bylaw will take place March 3 at 7 p.m. A first reading for the bylaw is scheduled to happen at the regular council meeting following the hearing.
