EDITORIAL: Surrey makes smart decision on mega-homes
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Updated: November 17, 2009 12:40 PM
With a history of turning a blind eye towards non-compliance with existing city bylaws, and after unprecedented public turnout at a series of open houses on mega-homes, Surrey recently found itself caught in a conundrum.
On one side were those in favour of allowing larger homes (up to 4,550 square feet) on RF-zoned single family lots that are 6,028 sq. ft. – an increase of 1,000 sq. ft. over what is allowed now.
Proponents argued the bigger houses would enable large extended families to live together, as well as provide much-needed affordable housing in the form of secondary suites.
But opponents to the plan said the larger homes would ruin the character of many neighbourhoods and negatively impact the environment as more trees are lost to make way for bigger buildings.
They also had concerns over the equitable sharing of municipal costs such as water, sewer and garbage collection, not to mention parking concerns.
Both sides made valid points.
Complicating matters was the city’s long-standing lackadaisical attitude towards illegal suites and unauthorized construction.
Surrey’s policy of collecting extra fees for illegal suites even though the homes don’t meet the necessary zoning requirements is bizarre at best.
And city building inspectors were left feeling demoralized after council stalled litigation against more than 70 illegal and unsafe homes just weeks before the last civic election.
Those stop-work orders were slated to be dropped had Surrey approved larger home sizes – hardly fair to those who dutifully abide by the bylaws.
On Monday, council sent the issue back the drawing board, asking city planners to develop a strategy for a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood zoning change, rather than proceeding with a plan to change all 65,000 RF-zoned homes across the city.
Smart move.
The decision won’t please everyone, but giving individual neighbourhoods a voice is an equitable solution.
