Commercial Vacation Rentals
An Unnecessary Evil.
On the 29th of April 2004, the Island Trustees are going to decide whether to either accept the report of the APC on Vacation Rentals or reject it thereby LEGALISING a practice which is prohibited by Trust bylaws.
The situation is very clear for the homeless and those who care for them.
Let's say - using round figures - that there are 5,000 HOMES on Salt Spring Island.
Let's say 1,500 are high-end; 3,000 mid-range and 500 are low-end or "affordable".
If we now allow 500 to be rented ILLEGALLY as Vacation Rentals at rents as high as $2,750 per week (YES, TWO thousand, SEVEN hundred and fifty per WEEK!) then there HAS to be a ripple effect downwards.
Persons who would prefer to own a high-end property must settle for a mid-range home. Someone who wanted a mid-range home will have to be content with a low-end place. Those who could afford low-end become homeless or leave the island. (Young people are leaving the island at an alarming rate. The effect is seen in low enrolment at our schools and will soon be felt in the service sector.)
A by product the Vacation Rental situation is the destruction of a sense of community. How many of us feel secure in knowing our neighbours - at least to say "Hello" to?
Let's face it - this is becoming BIG BUSINESS. Recent research showed that MANY of the high priced rentals are owned by off islanders - persons with NO commitment to the community. One rental outfit has enough properties listed to garner the operator up to $60,000 (SIXTY THOUSAND) per month in commission!
We, the Save Salt Spring Society, believe that the occasional
rental of a HOME during the owner's absence SHOULD be legalized.
Call your trustees - Eric BOOTH or Kimberly LINEGER at: 537 9144
Or e-mail them at: klineger@islandstrust.bc.ca
or David
Essig, Chairman dessig@islandstrust.bc.ca