Peachland council has made some changes to its proposed overhaul of business and development fees, most notably, backing off on a plan to double annual fees for bed and breakfasts (BnBs).
At its July 8 meeting, councillors gave three readings to a bylaw that would update development and business fees for the first time in nearly a decade. If eventually adopted, the new rates will take effect Sept. 25.
But one part of the fee schedule, in relation to BnBs, sparked pushback from councillors.
Under the original proposal, BnB owners would pay a $400 application fee and $200 a year for a business licence. That香蕉视频直播檚 a significant jump from the current rate of $112. The idea was that BnBs require more staff time to process because of inspections and bylaw compliance.
Coun. Keith Thom, who runs a BnB, said he had no problem with the $400 application fee, calling it a reasonable cost of doing business.
香蕉视频直播淭here are costs involved in starting a BnB, inspections, building code, all sorts of things,香蕉视频直播� he said.
But he took issue with singling the operations out for a higher annual fee, saying it 香蕉视频直播渟eems unreasonable.香蕉视频直播�
He added that several BnB owners he香蕉视频直播檚 spoken with have been in business for years and have never had an inspection. Thom also said the district should have consulted more directly with business owners before proposing fee increases.
Mayor Patrick Van Minsel suggested the annual BnB fee stay at $112, a motion that ultimately passed.
Coun. Terry Condon reluctantly voted in favour of the overall bylaw.
香蕉视频直播淣o proper analysis of costing was done,香蕉视频直播� Condon said. 香蕉视频直播淩ather, an item-by-item averaging of the costs that were faced by applicants in other municipalities, and we seemed to have picked an appropriate amount to update our fee schedules.香蕉视频直播�
Condon also criticized the built-in two per cent annual increase in the bylaw.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 like these things at any point in time, and I香蕉视频直播檝e never supported them.香蕉视频直播�
The new fee schedule affects a range of services. Development permit applications, rezoning requests, and liquor licence fees will see significant changes, bringing Peachland more in line with neighbouring communities.
Staff say the updated fees will better reflect the cost of staff time and help reduce the burden on general taxpayers.
