Parksville council has turned down an application for a temporary use permit for supportive housing at the VIP Motel.
The application for Temporary Use Permit No. 22-TUP001 by BC Housing, on behalf of the VIP Motel (414 Island Highway W) was rejected by council after a lengthy debate during its Sept. 7 regular meeting.
The building has been operated through a partnership by the Oceanside Homelessness Ecumenical Advocacy Response Team Society (OHEARTS), under the BC Housing supportive housing model, since October 2021, without the required temporary use permit from the city.
If approved, the temporary use permit would have allowed supportive housing in the building until the end of March 2023.
“I won’t support it just simply because I don’t think anything will happen in March of 2023,” said Coun. Mark Chandler. “I don’t believe we’re going to see any change. I think we’re going to see this being railroaded through again and what we need to do is send a message to BC Housing that they need to fix this.”
Prior to its discussion and vote, council heard concerns from the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association (PQBTA) and several residents who live near the VIP Motel. Worries included a reported increase in crime, drug activity, squatting, loitering and discarded needles and garbage. There was also a concern that additional neighbouring motels could also be used as supportive housing.
“These properties make up one of the major visitor services experiences in the region,” said Paul Drummond, PQBTA chair, reading from a letter sent by the association to council. “Rezoning the property to allow a supportive housing facility, even temporarily, sends a signal the city supports a drastically different use of tourist commercial properties.”
READ MORE: Parksville council debates temporary supportive housing permit
Drummond also pointed out the economic impact of the 21 rooms not being used by tourists, which, at 50 per cent capacity, adds up to 7,000 guests per year. He asked council to support dedicated facilities such as Orca Place rather than use motels.
Coun. Marilyn Wilson said she cannot ignore the problems reported by the PQBTA, nearby businesses and residents.
She added that, based on a letter BC Housing dispersed to VIP residents, they would not be displaced into the streets and BC Housing would find new housing options and volunteers will help move belongings. Wilson read an excerpt from the letter to council.
Coun. Doug O’Brien made the motion to approve the temporary use permit and stated that, although he was concerned about safety issues related to the situation, he does not favour evicting the residents. He said he would rather approve the permit and let BC Housing find them a new place to stay before March 2023.
“There’s nowhere else I lay the blame on, but that would be BC Housing,” O’Brien said.
Council also heard from John McEown, director, regional development at BC Housing, who stressed the motel is a temporary solution and they are looking for permanent lodging in the region.
“There’s a homelessness crisis currently in the province of British Columbia and there’s no escaping it here in Parksville,” said Dr. Sandra Allison, medical health officer for central Vancouver Island. “The crisis of homelessness in B.C. communities is also a health crisis and that’s why I’m here.”
She added the people staying in the motel have multiple health concerns and are supported by health teams.
Mayor Ed Mayne said the issue is the toughest question he has faced in the past four years on council.
Before the vote, Mayne asked the city’s chief administrative office, Keeva Kehler, if the city could levy a fine should the facility continue to operate, in contravention of city bylaw.
Kehler said fines are an option, but generally speaking not always the best deterrent, depending on the situation. She added she would need to consult with the city’s solicitor before giving council a definitive answer.
Not enforcing the bylaw infraction is also an option, as was the case between Oct. 21, when the unauthorized temporary use began, and earlier this year when BC Housing submitted its application for a temporary use permit, according to Kehler.
The motion to approve the temporary use permit was defeated with O’Brien and Coun. Teresa Patterson in favour and Chandler, Coun. Al Greir, Mayne, Coun. Adam Fras and Wilson against.