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- Aug. 10 - Secondary Suites, the ins and outs
Aug. 10 - Secondary Suites, the ins and outs
New era for downtown bar, pitbull attacks 3 dogs
Capital Daily Team
August 10, 2023
Good morning !
Our first story today is a short introduction to a comprehensive feature piece on our website. The topic: secondary suites.
The province and municipalities are changing regulations and bylaws, making things move more quickly, and generally making it easier—and financially more enticing—for you to build and rent out a secondary suite.
But as reporter Evert Lindquist lays out, not only is there a lot at stake here, there are a lot of moving pieces.
— Mark
If you had the means and time, would you build a secondary suite on your property? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.
🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google
NEWS
Provincial funding and simpler bylaws in sight for secondary suites
Carla Stucchi outside the entrance to her basement secondary suite. Photo: Evert Lindquist / Capital Daily
The BC government wants more secondary suites built to help create more housing—so much so, the premier basically directed 10 municipalities, including Victoria, Oak Bay and Saanich, to legalize them by the fall.
Through its Homes for People plan the province is offering incentives to get people thinking about building a secondary suite (contained within the main home) or a garden suite (detached from the main home).
Under a pilot project beginning next April, some 3K homeowners who want to turn part of their house into a rental secondary suite will have added monetary motivation to do it: a five-year forgivable loan that covers up to 50%—or $40K—of renovation costs. There are conditions, including that the suite be rented at a rate below market for five years afterwards.
Many wonder how much incentives will move the needle. And they question whether it’s the most efficient way of addressing the housing problem, as opposed to buying old purpose-built rental stock and turning it into public housing, for example.
Evert Lindquist looks at the issue of secondary suites from all angles including the complex building rules, fewer tenant protections, as well as the provincial funding and simper bylaws that are in the works. Read the full story here.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Hwy 4 reopened following its closure due to increased risk of falling debris after overnight rain yesterday.
No-swimming advisory for Chalet Beach, Tatlow Beach Access in North Saanich after water tests indicated high levels of bacteria.
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Building Greater Victoria’s economy
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They know Greater Victoria is stronger when working together.
“Through our work as labour and employment lawyers on the South Island, we support employers and businesses to thrive, grow and succeed,” says Marcia McNeil and Jessica Thomson, Victoria Partners at Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP. “By joining SIPP we’ve expanded our network across various sectors in our region and we welcome the opportunity to help build a strong and vibrant economy where we can all live and work now and well into the future.”
FOOD
Hot dog! Old new bar opens tomorrow
Photo: Saint Franks / Instagram
One of the first things many hot-dog-loving, in-the-know patrons of Saint Franks no doubt thought when they heard the bar—along with all the other tenants—was getting the boot from the Duck’s Building on Broad was: what a shame. And that they were going to miss that beautiful brick interior.
Not to worry, purveyors of pints, good times, and brickwork. Saint Franks is reopening—at new downtown digs—and the exposed brick is back. The new location is 727 Yates St., and yes, they brought their video games and the barber shop chair.
The short of it was they’re putting a hotel in the Duck’s Building, so Saint Franks had to fly. And fly it did, to a new downtown location, with Victoria city council’s blessing to stay open until 2am.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🎥 Fresh Catch: The documentary filmed throughout BC about responsible fishing practices and safeguarding marine ecosystems airs tomorrow on CBC Gem. [Trailer]
🍩 Underground donut tour: Tour around downtown beginning tomorrow while visiting four different donut shops, including Empire Donuts, and Friend and Family Bake.
🛍️ Zellers officially opens Pop Up inside Hudson’s Bay at the Bay Centre. Learn more and plan your trip today.*
👑 Disney-themed brunch coming to Victoria: This event will include bottomless mimosas, karaoke, and best-dressed competitions. Oct. 14-15 on Oswego Street, exact location yet to be announced.
🍑 SAVOUR THE SWEETNESS OF SUMMER: Beautiful and bountiful BC Stone Fruit has arrived at The Root Cellar! Enjoy that blissful moment of biting into a sweet peach or plum—with juice dripping down your chin. Now that’s summer! Learn more at TheRootCellar.ca.*
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Pitbull attacks 3 dogs in Saanich, declared ‘dangerous’: The pitbull violently blitzed the other dogs—all greyhounds—Sunday night at Reynolds Park. One of the greyhounds was last reported to be fighting for its life. [CTV]
Douglas Starbucks workers hit tipping point: Customers of the Starbucks location near Mayfair Shopping Centre aren’t getting tip options when they pay by card. The union representing Starbucks workers thinks the company is purposely closing the tip choice as payback for starting the union two years ago. [CHEK]
RidgeView Place builder files for bankruptcy: DB Services of Victoria Inc.—which built the 11-storey RidgeView Place in Langford—said 150 creditors are owed more than $51M. The building has been beset by structural deficiencies and has sat empty since the City of Langford revoked its occupancy permit in April. [CHEK]
BC Transit’s electric bus maker files for bankruptcy: The California company that makes electric buses—including 10 on order for Victoria—has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11. Proterra says it’s still making buses. Our transit authority told CHEK it “remains under contract for the 10 battery electric buses and they are still planned to arrive in Victoria this fall.” [CHEK]
Victoria buys electric fire truck for $1.7M: The Rosenbauer Revolutionary Technology (RTX) pumper is pretty new on the Canadian market—only Vancouver, Brampton, Ont., and now Victoria have ordered one. The province paid one-third of the cost.
🤝 Now Hiring
Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!
Marketing Manager at Dance Victoria
Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa
Inclusion Support Worker: School-Age Program at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
Buyer Seed & Gift Store at The Butchart Gardens
Ages 3-5 Program Team Lead at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
Vice President, Deals (Remote) at Tenzing
Mid to Senior Software Engineer at SingleOps.com
Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.
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🗓️ Things to do
🎺 Summer Concert at Willows Beach: The Capital City Syncopators will perform prohibition-era tunes tonight, 6-8pm.
🎙️ Miss Emily at Butchart Gardens: The award-winning soul and blues vocalist will perform tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.
🎙️ Talel McBriar & Friends at Hermann’s Upstairs: The singer-songwriter will perform traditional folk and alternative indie originals tonight. Doors 6:30pm, show 7-9pm.
🎤 K-Pop Night at Lucky Bar: Dance along to K-Pop tunes tonight with featured performances by Soju Bombs and DJ Rupert Cameron. 10pm-2am. [Tickets]
🎶 Music in the Bay: Latin infusion band Lelolai will play today at Cadboro-Gyro Park, 6-7pm.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria Grandmothers for Africa (VG4A) raise $2M, new proposal for Island rail, Pride crosswalk vandalism interrupted, and more. [Aug. 9]
Maria’s Deli closing: After 46 years of business in Saanich, the deli will shut its doors for good Aug. 31.
Rise in Cyclospora infections: The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends thoroughly washing imported fruits and vegetables—especially berries, fresh herbs, and leafy greens—to prevent the gastrointestinal illness.
“. . . part thriller, part revenge play . . . lots of comedy.” She lives in a magical hut that sits on chicken legs. Learn more about Kat Sandler's comedy, Yaga.*
ABBA-themed drag lunch coming to Victoria on Aug. 26 at 229 Gorge Rd. E., 3-5pm.
Break the anxiety cycle and change unhelpful patterns. Tall Tree’s 8-week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy course offers proven techniques in a supportive group format.*
*Sponsored Listing
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