By January, the secondary suite program may become a reality in Burnaby.
At the Sept. 30 meeting, city council authorized staff to move forward with the secondary suite program by making administrative changes to the city's permit, licence, and fee systems, bylaws, regulations and guidelines.
Coun. Dan Johnston said the report was founded on an extensive public process and the majority of those surveyed supported the proposed changes.
Johnston also noted that the program will go to a public hearing, but council hopes to implement it by January. However, the program won't be enforceable until January 2015.
"The approved program reflects and supports the needs of Burnaby residents by formalizing the contribution that secondary suites provide in terms of more affordable rental housing stock, and achieves the related safety and other benefits for both property owners and tenants," stated Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, in his report to council.
The secondary suite program may lead to a home rental business bylaw, as well.
"The approach also sets the context for inclusion of secondary suites within neighbourhoods by addressing matters related to the processing of complaints, suite size limits, the number of accessory uses, additional parking, payment of utility and other fees, and management suites where the owner does not reside on the property," Pelletier stated.
The program's implementation will be broken down into three phases. The first phase includes introducing the necessary bylaw and amendments to get it implemented by the new year. The second phase would follow through with necessary administrative changes. Then, the third phase will involve legalizing existing secondary suites.
