Let's just slow down a minute here and wait to see how this works out in other communities before jumping in with both feet, destroying other people's lives, and causing undue pain and suffering to people who have done nothing wrong.
Hats off to the wise mayor and councilors in Ucluelet. Are the powers that rule in Tofino equally wise?
That's the best thing I've seen come out of Ukee in a long time. Tofino council is set to make an important decision on March 12th. Nyla's report to council (in the council agenda published yesterday) strongly suggests waiting as well. At this point, I can't see how any council member could possibly vote to opt-in in good conscience.
its finally time to tell the truth. Tofino does not have enough water to support any more vacation rental nonsense, building more resorts, or much of anything really. The DOT needs to pull up it's underwear and face the fact. Forget about pretending we have enough water for everyone to piss it away in hot tubs, car washing, surf suits, beach showers etc. in an unlimited fashion. supporting vacation rentals and resorts by asking/demanding the citizens, who pay for water and sewer services, save water for the benefit of short term rentals is asinine. is this a community or a tourist resort? is it intelligent governance to encourage mindless tourism? Let's get intelligent about developing a tourist sector that has meaning to it. The same question goes for allowing non-resident VR owners. The incomes/benefits do not flow into the community. And big deal somebody gets to clean the place.
To 857 PM: You skip over the parts where Ukee has already dealt with this issue in a constructive way. Like identifying in their bylaws that residential tourist accom must be B&B style, unless identified with specific zoning allowance. Sounds much better than Tuff..... If you don't like the new provincial requirements then lets just follow Ukee's lead. Does that suit you better......No, No you say......I thought as much. Many VR advocates prefer no regulation at all......Let,s just watch while we are the worst in the province. Over twenty percent of residential units are VR"s, according to the Mayor.
Something has got to change in Tuff. How could all those smart people on District of Tofino staff, and all those high minded progressive on DOT councils have allowed this to happen. What were they thinking about....How to fight climate change? Or perhaps proper pronouns? How about how to test the ceiling on property taxes? While their community was disappearing before their eyes. Hats of to Ucluelet.....They saw the problem and took some action. May not be perfect but way better than Tuff. So I will agree, Ukee is doing a better job, so there is not the same urgency there. But their current inaction on the Provincial Legislation stems from having already dealt with the issue. Tofino just kicked the can down the road. And it's only got worse.
I think Tofino got like this because all of the pressure to get RMI money without understanding the full ramifications that it didn't help pay for tourism impact. That concept drove the bus until tourism Tofino took over and felt it was their job to get as many people here as humanly possible legally or otherwise regardless of the effect on our unprepared infrastructure. Regardless of the fact that the community is obliged to pay for all the stuff that people think that tourists want and need. Sidewalks, public showers, recreational facilities, garbage collection, info center, etc. And nobody seemed to care that commercial operations were operating in residential neighbourhoods all over town paying residential taxes. Some of the VR owners didn't care because they didn't live here. Or else council members had a VR or somebody they were close to or knew had a VR. Including mayors. No conflict of interest there. just look the other way. Ucluelet had the water and sewage treatment already but thought about the community first it seems. Even though their primary industries dried up in the 90s. just sayin
Sad problem is, are there enough people left in Tofino who give a flying ----? Most who are here are here for a year or two. A good time between school and getting serious with their life. Then they are off. or move to Ukee. Sad reality. Not good for community. Tofino, like that halibut in the woods. Are there enough people here who care enough to fight the vested interests?
and another crouton for ucluelet not allowing/putting up with: travel trailers, campers, huts, and motorhomes on many residential properties housing various short term and even long-term residents or renting by the night. Apparently Ucluelet enforces its bylaws.
Some people end up camping illegally on private properties or living in the back roads during the summer, Filgiano said. From April 2021: The $350 temporary-use permit can be used for multiple sites on the same property. Council has waived a $500 public notice fee normally collected for this type of permit and expedited a process that would typically take a few months.
The district accepted applications during the first two weeks of April and expects to process the requests within a couple of weeks, Filgiano said.
Property owners applying for an application must demonstrate how sewage will be handled and are encouraged to speak to their neighbours about any concerns.
Filgiano credited Ucluelet council with recognizing the housing crunch and working to find solutions.
Responsible governance.
ReplyDeleteLet's just slow down a minute here and wait to see how this works out in other communities before jumping in with both feet, destroying other people's lives, and causing undue pain and suffering to people who have done nothing wrong.
Hats off to the wise mayor and councilors in Ucluelet.
Are the powers that rule in Tofino equally wise?
That's the best thing I've seen come out of Ukee in a long time.
ReplyDeleteTofino council is set to make an important decision on March 12th. Nyla's report to council (in the council agenda published yesterday) strongly suggests waiting as well. At this point, I can't see how any council member could possibly vote to opt-in in good conscience.
its finally time to tell the truth. Tofino does not have enough water to support any more vacation rental nonsense, building more resorts, or much of anything really. The DOT needs to pull up it's underwear and face the fact.
ReplyDeleteForget about pretending we have enough water for everyone to piss it away in hot tubs, car washing, surf suits, beach showers etc. in an unlimited fashion.
supporting vacation rentals and resorts by asking/demanding the citizens, who pay for water and sewer services, save water for the benefit of short term rentals is asinine. is this a community or a tourist resort? is it intelligent governance to encourage mindless tourism? Let's get intelligent about developing a tourist sector that has meaning to it.
The same question goes for allowing non-resident VR owners. The incomes/benefits do not flow into the community. And big deal somebody gets to clean the place.
To 857 PM: You skip over the parts where Ukee has already dealt with this issue in a constructive way. Like identifying in their bylaws that residential tourist accom must be B&B style, unless identified with specific zoning allowance. Sounds much better than Tuff..... If you don't like the new provincial requirements then lets just follow Ukee's lead. Does that suit you better......No, No you say......I thought as much. Many VR advocates prefer no regulation at all......Let,s just watch while we are the worst in the province. Over twenty percent of residential units are VR"s, according to the Mayor.
ReplyDeleteSomething has got to change in Tuff. How could all those smart people on District of Tofino staff, and all those high minded progressive on DOT councils have allowed this to happen. What were they thinking about....How to fight climate change? Or perhaps proper pronouns? How about how to test the ceiling on property taxes? While their community was disappearing before their eyes. Hats of to Ucluelet.....They saw the problem and took some action. May not be perfect but way better than Tuff.
So I will agree, Ukee is doing a better job, so there is not the same urgency there. But their current inaction on the Provincial Legislation stems from having already dealt with the issue. Tofino just kicked the can down the road. And it's only got worse.
I think Tofino got like this because all of the pressure to get RMI money without understanding the full ramifications that it didn't help pay for tourism impact. That concept drove the bus until tourism Tofino took over and felt it was their job to get as many people here as humanly possible legally or otherwise regardless of the effect on our unprepared infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the fact that the community is obliged to pay for all the stuff that people think that tourists want and need. Sidewalks, public showers, recreational facilities, garbage collection, info center, etc.
And nobody seemed to care that commercial operations were operating in residential neighbourhoods all over town paying residential taxes.
Some of the VR owners didn't care because they didn't live here. Or else council members had a VR or somebody they were close to or knew had a VR. Including mayors. No conflict of interest there. just look the other way.
Ucluelet had the water and sewage treatment already but thought about the community first it seems. Even though their primary industries dried up in the 90s. just sayin
Sad problem is, are there enough people left in Tofino who give a flying ----? Most who are here are here for a year or two. A good time between school and getting serious with their life. Then they are off. or move to Ukee. Sad reality. Not good for community. Tofino, like that halibut in the woods. Are there enough people here who care enough to fight the vested interests?
ReplyDeleteand another crouton for ucluelet not allowing/putting up with: travel trailers, campers, huts, and motorhomes on many residential properties housing various short term and even long-term residents or renting by the night.
ReplyDeleteApparently Ucluelet enforces its bylaws.
9:33-- That's simply not true. There's lots of trailers and motorhomes set up in residential properties in Ucluelet.
ReplyDeleteUcluelet requires a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for rvs. They are not expensive but require proper hookups .
ReplyDeleteSome people end up camping illegally on private properties or living in the back roads during the summer, Filgiano said.
ReplyDeleteFrom April 2021:
The $350 temporary-use permit can be used for multiple sites on the same property. Council has waived a $500 public notice fee normally collected for this type of permit and expedited a process that would typically take a few months.
The district accepted applications during the first two weeks of April and expects to process the requests within a couple of weeks, Filgiano said.
Property owners applying for an application must demonstrate how sewage will be handled and are encouraged to speak to their neighbours about any concerns.
Filgiano credited Ucluelet council with recognizing the housing crunch and working to find solutions.