Note: The following is a copy of the letter from the RMOW to Whistler Property Owners of Phase One condos. To see the full report in a pdf doc, click this link: www.suttonwhistler.com/pdf/ocp.pdf
July 29, 2011
Dear Property Owner:
Thank you for engaging in Whistler's Official Community Plan process. We are encouraged by the great number of citizens and property owners (including owner-direct accommodation providers) who have been involved in this process over the last many months. This letter is in response to several items of correspondence that we have recently received expressing concerns and raising questions about a number of the policies contained in the draft Official Community Plan (OCP). Many of these comments are based on the draft version of the OCP that is currently posted on the municipal OCP website (http://www.whistler2010.com/) for feedback.
Since posting the draft OCP on the website, there have been community working group meetings for each OCP chapter, Community Advisory Group meetings, consultations with Whistler Council, and public input on that version of the OCP. I have attached the updated drafts of the relevant chapters as a result of this most recent input.
The following is an overview of the updated draft policies in the Economic Viability and Land Use and Development Residential & Visitor Accommodation chapters that were referred to most frequently in many of the letters that we have received:
In the Land Use and Development: Residential & Visitor Accommodation chapter, as with the Economic Viability chapter, the Description and Rationale sections following each policy have been removed and text boxes added to explain the intent of the Objectives.
Several sections are included that recognize the importance of having a variety of accommodation types. In keeping with an overall desire that municipalities have to achieve tax equity.
Objective 4.2 of the Economic Viability chapter states "Work to ensure all properties operating visitor accommodation are taxed equitably." The OCP does not propose changing the classification of properties that are currently classified as Class 1 to Commercial Class 6, and does not propose to change any allowed use or ownership model. Tax equity is a broad goal that we believe is supported by the vast majority of taxpayers.
Concern was expressed that the OCP proposes to change zoning of accommodation. The draft OCP does not include policies to change zoning of accommodation. The draft OCP contains policy for future approval of applications to provide a diverse accommodation mix, and to review and establish policy for consideration to determine an appropriate mix of fractional ownership, timeshare, whole ownership, strata hotels, etc.
Draft policy 4.2.4 of the Residential & Visitor Accommodation chapter entertains the possibility of repurposing poorly performing/located accommodation where appropriate and only when the alternate use is to the benefit of the resort community. Such consideration would only be given if requested by the landowner under the revised draft policy.
Concern has also been expressed with a proposed centralized visitor check-in facility. The draft wording in the OCP states "investigate opportunities to enhance visitor accommodation guest services, including the creation" of such a facility. Our desire to look into this possibility is fuelled by the many comments that we have received and have been posted on various travel blogs regarding difficulty that visitors encounter checking in to properties. Nonetheless, there is no commitment to build such a facility, only investigate.
Nothing in the Draft OCP makes any changes to Phase 1 covenants. Only a property owner can grant changes to covenants.
Nothing in the Draft OCP creates an automatic amendment to our Business Regulation bylaw.
And finally, Municipal Council is not seeking an amendment by the provincial government to the Resort Municipality of Whistler Act through these amendments to the OCP.
The full updated version of the OCP will be posted on http://www.whistler2010.com/ in the coming weeks. The OCP process has included extensive and valuable community involvement and input for more than one year and the final OCP draft will be before council for adoption this fall.
The OCP is a provincially-mandated policy document it includes land use designations that guide land use planning, social, economic, and environmental policies, and civic infrastructure investments. Whistler's OCP was last comprehensively updated in 1993.
Please contact me at (mvance@whistler.ca) should. you have any further questions about the policies in the OCP.
Yours truly,
Mike Vance
General Manager Policies and Programs
