Home

News - Short Term Rental Committee of the Whole (COW) Report

Many thanks to all those Members who attended in response to my urging for a “loud” visual presence indicative of Bayshore’s concern and support of the proposed measures to control STRs throughout the Township.
The presentation by the EcoVue Planner was, disappointingly, lacking in the detail of the extensive study that they completed June 14, 2019 and that resulted in their recommendations. I had hoped for a more dynamic presentation so that our BVA Members would be treated to a more comprehensive description of the way forward.
That being said, the new Ramara CAO John Pinsent, requested 30 days (from July 15) for he and his staff to study the recommended suite of STR control "tools" including the amendment of the Licencing Bylaw, to add the requirement to Licence STRs; and that the Licence requirements address: noise, garbage, parking, traffic, illegal activity, tenant safety, and tourism impact. Furthermore, that the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw be amended to include provisions to regulate STRs; and the institution of a Municipal Accommodation Tax to ensure that STRs contribute to Township infrastructure such as
enforcement, road maintenance etc. He will report to Council on his assessment and recommendation at the August Council Meeting.
Unfortunately this Committee of the Whole (COW) Agenda included multiple other items before it reached the first of the STR items. Culminating in the recommendation that Staff prepare a draft schedule to licencing bylaw 2013.20 regulating Short Term Rentals.
It has been a long road since Ramara started to examine the STR issue in July 2016 as a result of a petition by Lagoon City Residents. Subsequently an ad hoc STR Committee, was created by a motion of Council, with the intention of finding a solution to the issues posed by unregulated STR accommodation units within the Township. This STR Committee, comprised of residents from the Township, members of Council, and Township staff, has
worked tirelessly on studying the control measures of STRs employed by other Municipalities (both near and far) including Blue Mountain, Collingwood, Wasaga, Clearview, Georgina, Markham, Kelowna, Toronto etc.
In the Fall of 2018, they approached EcoVue, and the Township’s legal counsel; to assist with implementing land use controls for STR units. After some discussion with the Committee and a review of afore-mentioned background materials, it was recommended that the Township take the following measures provided under the Planning Act:
1. Pass an Interim Control By-law that prohibits the establishment of any new STR units within the Township for period of 1 year;
2. Complete a Land Use Study (as required under Section 38 of the Planning Act) to determine the most appropriate permanent land use tools (i.e. zoning, site plan approval, etc.) for controlling and regulating STR units;
3. Develop necessary amendments to planning documents and/or implement new licensing systems prior to the expiry of the ICBL.
This is the point that we have now reached!
The next critical step will be in August when the CAO presents his analysis of the Suite of STR control tools to Council.
Astrid Bruce Vice President