Courtenay should look into being more flexible and innovative when it comes to ensuring affordable housing for frail seniors.
Patricia Foster, a geriatric nurse, recounted some of her woes at Monday night’s council meeting in trying to build a suite for her 91-year old mother.
She submitted a building permit application in September last year.
There were lengthy delays due to parking regulations even though her mother doesn’t drive. And the Board of Variance didn’t meet until December to approve a requested variance. Construction finally began in January.
Foster also noted that her taxes went up $960 due to double charges for sewer, water and garbage, even though only two people, she and her mother, were living at her home.
Another stumbling block, she said, was “real rigidity” about design. One planner told her she couldn’t do something, while another found the proposed design a “lovely innovation”.
“It’s not the easiest, smooth sailing at city hall,” she said.
“Let’s start to look at uncommon solutions to very complex problems,” she said. “As a geriatric nurse, I encourage you to start to think out of the box. I hope there’s some innovative conversations about this.”
Counc. Doug Hillian said he sympathized with Foster’s concerns, especially since he himself was going through a development permit process for a household renovation.
“I appreciate your willingness to provide accommodation for a family member. A number of the processes are dictated by statute and the city may or may not have room to move on them,” he said.
Hillian said the hiring of additional city hall staff might give the ability to keep up with what’s on their plate, and to “be more proactive.”