674 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Not every municipality had as much consensus on the issue; nearly half of the nine Metchosin candidates we heard from said housing supply is not an issue in their community, where the question of how to handle housing needs—including whether to allow tiny homes and RVs on residential properties as a form of secondary housing—has been hotly debated.

 

Mayor John Ranns, who is not seeking re-election, believes more housing development is not compatible with Metchosin’s rural vibe. Both candidates running to replace him—Councillors Marie-Térèse Little and Kyara Kahakauwila—agree that housing supply is an issue but neither thinks densification is an appropriate solution.

 

For Kahakauwila, fixing the housing crisis locally will involve working with Capital Regional District counterparts “to create housing solutions in appropriate areas that are closer to services and amenities” while protecting greenspace, according to her survey response. Kahakauwila told The Westshore reporter Zoë Ducklow she is “aligned with Mayor Ranns” when it comes to preserving Metchosin’s rural character.

 

Little, who said she met with former housing minister (now NDP leadership candidate) David Eby in August, wants to see Metchosin work with the province on “innovative solutions” to the housing crisis. Like Kahakauwila, Little sees room for more housing in “some areas in Metchosin that are already zoned for multiple families or dwellings”

 

However, “paving over land that is … classified as Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR), would not be wise,” Little said in her response to the Capital Daily survey.

 

“Other farmlands, greenspaces, or buffer zones that are not classified as ALR land would still be protected from large scale development for housing options,” Little said.

 

She told The Westshore Metchosin has “has been quite progressive in its housing challenges” and most residents she has heard from are happy with the way development is being managed in the municipality.

 

 

 

https://www.capitald...ctoria-election

 

 

 

 

For reference here, I've drawn the Metchosin border on the ALR map here.

 

 

 

 

Metchosin area: 71.13 km²

Victoria area: 19.47 km²

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 October 2022 - 04:00 AM.

[Nparker]

Maybe this is where the province should force increased density.

[Sparky]

^ Why?

The province needs to stay out of local zoning decisions. That’s what municipal governments are for.

[Spy Black]

A lot of the non-ALR land in Metchosin is on rocky, semi-mountainous terrain. That terrain can be difficult to build infrastructure into and onto, such that it would allow for any sizeable housing developments.

 

Building on that kind of terrain is quite possible, although it requires massive amounts of money up front, which is exactly what we see up on Skirt Mountain, an area that shares an identical terrain to much of Metchosin (outside the ALR), and is the location of a multitude of multimillion dollar homes that pay for all that up front infrastructure installation.

 

Metchosin would ever allow a development similar to Skirt Mountain, and yet such a development is the only thing that would allow for the required infrastructure to be put in place throughout Metchosin.

 

To me, it seems prudent in a democratic society to accept that if an area is largely rural by design, and that if the folks who actually live there want to keep it that way, it's likely best that it stay that way.

Jamming or forcing things down property owning, tax paying, residents throats rubs me entirely the wrong way.

[Nparker]

...The province needs to stay out of local zoning decisions...

Of course it does, but that's not the NDP's master plan.

[Mike K.]

Metchosin is going to sing a different tune now that they have to start paying for the RCMP. They’ll either face a large large tax increase, or need to add more taxpayers. It’s just that simple.

And there’s no way of getting around it, especially if Eby’s plan for three units in the footprint of a SFD extends to all 13 municipalities of the CRD.

[Victoria Watcher]

Just pay for the police like anyone else does. It’s not that big an increase.

[Nparker]

...And there’s no way of getting around it, especially if Eby’s plan for three units in the footprint of a SFD extends to all 13 municipalities of the CRD.

We know how selective the NDP like to be with their housing legislation (cough...speculation tax...cough). Much will depend on how many MLAs own properties in rural communities.

[Victoria Watcher]

Just pay for the police like anyone else does. It’s not that big an increase.

The increase works out to about $200 per person in the municipality.

They have known for decades it’s likely coming. Not sure why they have failed to plan for it.

[Mike K.]

$500-$1000 per household is going to sting a little.

Maybe some more commercial taxation is in order. That stretch where My Chosen is is begging for some investment.

[Sparky]

Does Metchosin even need a police department?

Maybe do a volunteer thingy like the fire department.

[Mike K.]

The province has been paying for their component of the RCMP's funding. Now that their population is above 5,000 people, they have to pay for it themselves.

[lanforod]

Only if they choose to keep RCMP I suppose. Perhaps they can partner with Colwood, or start up their own little force.

[Mike K.]

Colwood is RCMP, too.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Scott Goodmanson has won the Langford Mayor’s race:

https://localelectio...22_results.html

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

Community First Langford is the second slate of candidates to announce they’re running in the upcoming municipal election. Langford Now, a newly formed electors organization started back in April, has five candidates running for councillor positions including:

 

Colby Harder

Keith Yacucha

Kimberly Guiry

Mark Morley

Mary Wagner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Langford goes woke.

 

 

https://www.vancouve...lection-battle/

[Lorenzo]

Entire Langford council is gone, except Spzak!

[Barrrister]

Maybe Victoria can ship some of its druggies out to Langford now.

[Nparker]

Maybe Victoria can ship some of its druggies out to Langford now.

If Langford really wants change, they will invite them.