Council will consider a first reading of an Official Community Plan amendment related to 740 Campbell Street. The amendment would support the potential development of a multi-unit residential building in partnership with the Tofino Housing Corporation.
This is the waterfront lot and house that the District purchased for 2.2 million dollars in 2024.
34 comments:
There's no water supply. In fact there's a law that they just passed that says "no development". Isn't there a requirement for a corresponding first nations project? Will mayor Dan once again explain that this is a "unique" case, exempt from normal rules and regulations?
Who's leading the charge in the DOT office to promote this project? What are the projected benefits to the taxpayers of Tofino?
the alleged benefits, accrue to the alleged housing Developer for the Tofino housing corporation and their cronies. Pretty obvious.
Wouldn't it be better to have Eby and Carney start to buy up all the condos that come up for sale in Tofino and spread the losses out to all taxpayers?
The government is going to own the land. The government is going to supply the housing. The government will decide who lives where. The government will look after everything for you, provide you with valuable "services". You will own nothing. And be happy. This is communism. Everywhere else it's been tried, it failed. Except for those operating the system, for them the opportunities for corruption and graft are boundless.
However, in Tofino, the goldfish bowl is small, it's not so easily concealed. Maybe this time someone will ask the right questions.
Is this Mayor Law’s last kick at the can before leaving? His last opportunity to virtue signal.
The rational for acquiring this property was to gain better access to the Pump House. Mission accomplished. How do the taxpayers get their $2.2 million back? Sell the remainder. I want my money back.
All over Tofino, but particularly from Industrial Way to the south, you can not get any housing/private development approved. JUST Give out a few more “Temporary Use permits” for Trailer parks that avoid paying commercial property taxes. Nah’ no need for that. The town is riddled with trailers, mobile homes, Winnebegos and camper vans as it is.
How about Development that costs the taxpayers nothing and actually creates housing that contributes to the tax base. Oh how horrible is that???? Normal development-- Contributes park space, Contributes DCC’s. Could contribute owner run secondary suites, with vacation rentals forbidden, and in the end increases the tax base to spread out the burden of Tofino’s exorbitant residential taxes.
I guess he thinks we can be bought off for 2 parking spaces to launch a kayak. Oh the virtue signaling.
And besides, I thought we were out of water.
Let me get this straight: 740 Campbell St. was a residentially zoned property that was for sale with access to the District pumphouse as a trespass across a corner of the property, an obvious oversight from many years ago.The district was obligated to buy the property in order to secure legal access to the pumphouse for maintenance, etc. One would assume that the District would immediately have an easement surveyed and registered and from then on would be free to sell the waterfront lot and house for what they paid for it to recuperate our taxpayer dollars.
However the District has taken upon itself, de facto, to revise the purpose of a municipal government to include commercial development of District property allegedly under the umbrella of the affordable housing corporation. Undertaking at the taxpayers expense. You and me.
the housing corporation, which is now being driven by a very highly paid unelected consultant appointed by cronies of the previous administration, now thinks it has free reign to do whatever it feels like.
So a rather than operate the affordable housing that has been constructed under the auspices of the consultant and the affordable housing corporation, affordable housing projects have been foisted off onto an alleged, not for profit housing corporation from Vancouver.The money to be made is not from the operation of the projects, but from the salaries, directors fees, and/or bonuses paid to the not for profit housing corporations board of directors and employees. TOFINO got a very low standard of rental only housing that basically serves as slave quarters for some of the low income employees of local businesses managed by a professional property management corporation.
The consultant, now with taxpayer funded experience as a developer of affordable housing, is leading the district down the garden path to a expensive waterfront property to develop into a mix of Commercial, rental, and Strata properties for sale lease and rental.The District somehow believes that it's not going to cost the taxpayer anything to give our money away like the last fiasco with headwaters whereby no one thought to calculate the value of the land that was given over to the alleged, not for profit corporation.With everyone believing that it's not going to cost anything, no one pays attention, no one cares and we end up like the provincial government far far in debt and nobody gets what they want besides consultants, cronies, and politicians.
The district has other properties much more suitable for a mix of a commercial Strata plan development. It's about time the District cooperate and let developers risk their own capital rather than the district. That means helpful zoning and process instead of stonewalling and obfuscation - the reverse of the municipal procedures at this point.
All part of the socialist government plan. Propose changes to Tofino finances in the summer when nobody can take the time off to go to a meeting and point out the financial
insanity of such proposals
There are far far too many people employed in the D.O.T. office, with far far too little to do. This took hours and hours....weeks, months, to dream up and put on paper, in great detail. Who paid for this office work? Why? Who authorized it?
The communists.
The gateway to corruption and graft begins.
This "proposal" is already looking pre-approved, contrary to all other district policy. The friends of friends in the district office (remember them?) are already enjoying the views from their waterfront top floor corner balconies.
we want our 2.2 million dollars back!
Meanwhile....How many bedrooms does that house have? What does a comparable house rent for, on the open market, in Tofino?
Who's living in it? How much is the rent being paid? Who's paying the utilities and maintenance on the property?
On the $2.2 million investment, how much is the district recovering, after expenses, each month? After two years, surely some portion of the investment must have been recovered by now. How much is it, and where is that money?
My friend, you can wave goodbye to that 2.2 mil. That is long gone, and there's no intention anywhere to recover it. The district will retain ownership, and lease the land to the housing corporation. Probably for the same price as the parkland on Sharp Rd was sold for...$1.00.
AI Overview Depending on the chosen amortization period, the monthly mortgage payment on a $2,200,000 mortgage at the most favorable rate signed in British Columbia in 2024 would be between $11,079.95 and $12,164.18.Because any mortgage over $1 million in Canada cannot be federally insured, a borrower must opt for an uninsured / conventional mortgage. In 2024, the lowest promotional 5-year fixed uninsurable rates dipped to approximately 4.49%
For multifamily wood-frame or mixed residential construction on Vancouver Island, expect to pay between $350 and $500+ per square foot.Example Size: If your 22 units average 1,000 sq. ft. each, your total footprint is 22,000 sq. ft.At $400/sq. ft.: $8,800,000 (Basic/Mid-range)At $600/sq. ft.: $13,200,000 (Premium or complex build)
So where did the district get the 2.2 million to buy the place? They have no money.
Did D.O.T obtain a Trudeau style money printing device? No, they borrowed it somewhere. No one hands out millions of dollars for a real estate deal unless they get a return on it, it's not free. They're paying interest on it. YOU are paying interest on it. Over $10,000 per month, it looks like.
How much have the taxpayers lost on this deal so far? Maybe that's the first question, before anyone digs the hole even deeper.
I don't under stand why this info . They've already stated they're going to stack modular container-like units, not build a real building.
Besides, they've already got their builder arranged.....everything is arranged....yeah, arranged. That's the word. Arranged.
Sorry , I wasn’t able to open the attachment with the building details. I think it would make more sense to subdivide the property . The district could keep the Bay Street pump access and sell the existing house.
Now That Ralph would be far too simple and reasonable for the tax payers
People that are in the existing social housing system are declining raises so they don’t exceed the income limits. Others are working fewer hours to achieve the correct income level . We don’t need more of this bullshit kind of housing .
I heard Tofino was using the old house as staff accommodation. There were numerous problems. Leaks and decay. So, they let it go structurally. Part of the deal is that a number of the new/proposed units would be “District” units. For What? Staff accom of course. Tofino has a problem finding places for the explosion/growth in staff. The poorly housed staff get grumpy and don’t stick around. Apparently, there are around 35 full time staff. About triple what there were a few short years ago.
In any event why do the taxpayers/residents of Tofino have to pay for waterfront accommodation for DOT staff. Many many people who work here live in their van or a shithouse trailer in a back yard.
When will Tofino wake up to the fact that housing for working people is a disaster as Council continues to stop approvals for normal subdivision and development. Ah yes…. water for thee but not for me.
This is a corrupt process that needs to end. The socialist tendencies of council around housing have become more of the problem than the solution.
for the district to not do the repairs needed to make the downstairs(insulate and dry-wall to waist height) habitable is completely irresponsible and dumb. Leaving a $2.2 million asset to crumble out of negligence for two years then claim oh it's all arranged to destroy so we can put some waterfront condos there so the district staff and politicians can buy them. This whole thing does not pass the smell test.
Reading these comments, it's obvious that there's great community support for this project. As well as great faith in our local government to provide us with the services we all want and need.
I'm looking forward to seeing it completed. It will be a lasting and worthwhile asset to our community for years to come.
As an added ammenity to the community, I understand there will even be a free kiddie petting zoo. With unicorns.
if the behaviour of the district housing corporation is wilful negligence in regard to a $2.2m property sitting idle for 2 years, its about time to dissolve the housing corp as incompetent.
I took a look at the Tofino Housing Corporation Website. If you are not already upset enough with this latest push, take a look at their website.
Here are some highlights if you are not already aware. “THC is a municipal corporation owned by the District of Tofino. Tofino Council appoints the Board of Directors on an annual basis and the THC financial statements are integrated into the District’s financial statements. The District has established the governance of the THC with a Board comprised of 4 District staff and elected officials and 3 independent Board members; the District can choose to alter the structure of its subsidiary at any time.
The current Board of Directors includes: Duncan McMaster, Dan Law, Al Anderson, Nyla Attiana, Melody McLorie, Cindi Levine, Allyson Muir.”
So three members of council sit on the Board of the THC playing with taxpayer money while feeling great about providing much needed housing, which according to their own document the private sector is not delivering!
This is from their Tofino Housing Corporation Overview April 2021. “The THC exists to fill the community housing not met by the private housing market. All existing data points to the fact that private housing has become a global commodity and the market failure is worsening not only in Tofino, but across BC, Canada and around the globe; housing prices and rental rates are rising much faster than incomes.”
They choose not to see or acknowledge that the private sector does not have all the advantages and benefits of their own pet corporation—‘free’ money, expedited approvals, special water allocation status, District land (see ‘free’ money), guaranteed approval, waived requirements (at their discretion of course). Think about the number of private sector applications/proposals there have been and how long they have been languishing. If you’re not sure there are several signs around the District which inform the public about the application, as does the DoT website.
And this from the THC Strategic Plan 2024-2027
“The THC’s funding sources come from a combination of grants, short-term rental accommodation tax transfers, and loans. The District of Tofino transferred land to the THC, which was sold in 2023 to cover ongoing expenses.
40% of funding comes from BC Municipal and Regional District Tax
34% comes from THC lot sales
23% comes from BC Housing interest-free loan
3% comes from BC Housing grant”
So 97% of the funding is paid for by taxpayers. The first one is obviously tax payers. The second the THC lot sales is District land which belongs to the residents of Tofino (aka taxpayers). The interest-free loan will have to be paid off. Guess who?!
“The Tofino Housing Corporation's financials form part of the District’s audited financial statements, which are signed off by the Financial Officer for the municipality. By signing off and accepting responsibility for the District’s financial statements, the Financial Officer is also signing off and accepting responsibility for THC’s financials.”
How did we let this happen? We need a change of council and a change of direction.
The entire western world is seething with hatred of the governing class.
How can we NOT think that our leadership are the filthiest bunch of criminals who ever lived?
That is what lies create. Catastrophe. Bankruptcy. Homelessness. Public fury. In fact, virtually no politician tells the truth.
Waterfront affordable housing.....read that one again! Surely you could sell that and buy 3x the land somewhere else in town and get more bang for your buck.
What if there is a leak in the roof or the plumbing in the new condos ? Will the district simply deny that there is a leak ?
Hoe many staff living there now? Are they breaking their own rules?
this is great! Those folks on council and whoever is in the housing corporation gets to play Developer with somebody else's money and the taxpayers land. It doesn't matter if it loses money or things cost way more than they should because it's not their money. Not like a real Developer who sometimes risks thousands of thousands of dollars and sometimes loses money. Their own.
You have to consider whether DoT Councillors and Mayor, who sit on the Tofino Housing Committee and put forward THC development proposals for Council to approve, are sitting in a giant conflict of interest. They clearly favour their own applications. Your private property rights end at the front door.
“Water for me but not for thee”
“Our project is better than yours”
“You go to the end of the queue”.
“Our proposal must be dealt with expeditiously. It is of prime importance and clearly in the Public interest”
“We retain the right to waive those requirements”
“DCC’s? not for our important work.”
“Your property’s classification in the OCP has been reprioritized.”
“Back of the queue for you.”
And on and on…
Marx would be happy….. Orwell…”told ya so”
Soon the pigs will be wearing the famers clothes and walking on two feet.
Pardon me ….we appear to already be there.
Many resorts had their applications to build staff housing delayed or denied by the District of Tofino. Regime change is badly needed.
If the District intention is to expand the Reservoir on Meares Island by digging it bigger, it's time to scrap the silly prohibition by the prince of darkness to build and develop anything south of Industrial Way. There is no logical reason to cram everybody into downtown TOFINO. If the idea was to curtail the use of more water - it's not working..... if it's to prevent the cutting down of trees, has anybody told anybody that Tofino used to be a big Forest? And a lot of the lumber that was milled from the trees was used to build the houses here. That's what you build Residential Holmes with. Retrofitting containers for Residential use is not cost-effective. Ask Pacific Sands what happened to their Container project… It's cost two or three times more than the cost of the unit per square foot to make them habitable without sweating. Scrapping the limits to growth policy should include building allowed past Industrial way so that the rezoning and permitting process could be undertaken now and building begun once the new improved reservoir comes online. Simple.
Sorry. Tofino is a quaint seaside village of 600 souls. Mayor Dan said so. And it's going to remain that way. Councillor Tom agrees. Meanwhile, think about which councillor continues to virtually hold the retail license monopoly for the south side. No development means no competition.
Went up the hill to the THC version of “Alcatraz” ‘Headwaters….’ for a look……No landscaping to speak of….parking lots are a disgrace. Not even level surfaces… No asphalt Leave your bike out in the rain…Place looks like sh**… Bad choice of use for a rock pinnacle. Single family use could have been nestled into the natural landscape, ’…..But oh…. what an investment. You say the rents can, will,... are….going up … as the tenants earn bigger paycheques. That is the kind of investment I want for my RRSP. Inflation proof! In ten years, the owner’s revenue can double with inflation. What a deal!
Mayor Law doesn’t want trees being cut. What a Joke. Mayor Law the great” environmentalist”.. The “Sharp Road” project is a “clear cut” beside a salmon stream. No private developer would have been allowed such density in that location. Pure HYPOCRACY. The Peterson St./Headwaters site looks like it has been bombed and then let go.
No private developer could get away with this.
All the Kings horses and all the Kings men can’t put Humpty Dumpty together again.
there is an assumption here that the town needs more housing. Given that the tourist economy is crashing according to some I have spoken to, that could be a seriously mistaken belief. Tourism, the golden goose of Tofino, is laying cracked eggs which are no good for any business. Imagine late June and you have vacancies???
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