Unions raise questions about rentals in new West Van development
Rendering of the Executive on the Park development at Taylor Way and Marine Drive. Image: from development permit drawings
The District should protect and expand real housing options for local workers
A hospitality workers’ union, along with the West Van Municipal Workers Association, West Van Teachers and Better North Shore is asking the District of West Vancouver to review a development's housing commitments. The group has alerted West Vancouver Council to a situation at Executive on the Park—a development near Park Royal that was approved with a commitment to provide 21 long-term rental units.
When the developer submitted their rezoning application, it stated:
“This rezoning application is guided by the existing policies for this area, referenced as the Marine Drive Local Area Plan and the Park Royal, and Clyde Avenue Sub-Area, and Guidelines.”
Marine Drive Local Area Plan: “New development should […] increase both rental and ownership housing options to address current and future demands of DWV residents.”
“The program for the redevelopment will increase the housing stock with secured market rental and for-sale residential units.”
“A significant portion of the residential building will be dedicated to market residential rental units of varying sizes, which will promote greater housing options for people living in the District.”
However, the rental units are now being marketed as accommodations for visitors, film crews, corporate relocations, and other short-term residents.
The Executive Group is following the letter of the Housing Agreement Authorization Bylaw, which lays out the rental unit terms, stating that “the owner agrees that every rental unit shall be used and occupied only for residential accommodation, by way of a Tenancy Agreement for a term of not less than one (1) month.…”
Council’s and the public’s understanding was to approve the development permit based on the developer’s plan to provide long-term rental housing for people working in West Vancouver.
Instead of being made available as long-term homes for local residents and workers, the rental units are now being marketed as furnished suites for corporate relocations, consulting projects, film crews, and other short-term uses. Using the rental units as extended stay hotel rooms was never the intent, and under the development permit is not a permitted use.
The unions have expressed concern that this situation could affect how housing commitments are implemented in future developments and have requested that the District of West Vancouver:
Prohibit the extended-stay hotel use
Fine the developer for each day the units are marketed for extended-stay use
Require the developer to prioritize renting these units to people who work in or near West Vancouver.
The union reached out to local housing advocates, including Better North Shore for support. As proponents of increasing long-term rental housing on the Shore, we support the unions in their appeal to make sure these homes go to the workers and residents who keep West Vancouver thriving.
Read our letter to the District here
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