Building trades and land developers in Sooke, feeling ignored by city hall, have started a new advocacy group.
The Sooke Builders Association comprises a cross-section of construction industry stakeholders, including builders, contractors and suppliers concerned about development and regulation.
“Everything has been in quicksand for some time,” said Herb Haldane, a founding group member and owner of Haldane Homes in Sooke.
The construction industry is at odds with the District of Sooke in a dispute involving the rewrite of the official community plan and the lack of input from developers centred around housing and zoning.
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Builders for years have also complained about the time it takes to be issued a building permit in Sooke and the paperwork needed to complete even a simple house build.
“To navigate the system (at Municipal Hall) is so problematic that the average person does not have the tools to do it,” Haldane said. “I’m helping about a dozen applicants right now who are working on subdividing a one-lot subdivision or building a suite in their home.”
Mayor Maja Tait welcomes the news of a new builders association, which she says will help district council build a relationship with the building and development community.
“The builders association (will be) a valuable resource for us, as it allows us to access expertise and better understand why we are facing obstacles,” Tait said. “If I don’t understand the red tape, I don’t know how to cut it.”
The development community and local politicians also await details on the province’s new housing plan.
The plan includes adding density in areas currently zoned single-residential and near transit, legalizing secondary suites coupled with financial incentives for homeowners who build such suites, expanding the existing speculation and vacancy tax to other areas creating a tax designed to discourage the flipping of properties.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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