Submitted by Melanie Swailes on behalf of the BCA Development and Transportation Committee
I travelled through BC and Alberta this summer, and each community—whether a small town or neighbourhood in a large city—has a unique feel. But everywhere we went, we also saw reminders that change can come to communities suddenly and unpredictably.
Jasper Wildfires
On July 22, two wildfires were burning outside of the town of Jasper and an evacuation order was issued. As of August 1, the town remains vacated: residents are still scattered throughout BC and Alberta or further afield, depending on where they found a place to stay with friends, family, or at a hotel or campground.
The fire hit close to home: my brother and his family are long-time Jasperites. For a few anxious days we followed updates as the fire progressed. The relief was incredible as we found out that my brother’s family was one of the lucky ones who still had a home to return to, but sadly many have lost everything: 358 of about 1,100 houses and buildings in the town were destroyed. Imagine leaving your home suddenly with only a few clothes or possessions, not knowing what you might return to.
What has struck me since is the strong community bonds, wanting to rebuild, focusing on what it means to be a Jasperite. We may take our communities and our Community Associations for granted, but when there is an emergency, they are the first point of contact because they already have facilities and volunteers. The City of Calgary opened an emergency reception centre in Montgomery, while other organizations offered support and access for evacuees including the YMCA, Calgary Public Library, Heritage Park, and others. Community matters!
As Jasper rebuilds, many Development Permits will have to be processed, with the added complication of National Park regulations. Rebuilding will be difficult and expensive, and some residents may sadly not be able to return to their former lives. The location is a challenge since construction materials and workers will have to come a long way, and the latter will need accommodations, already in short supply before the fire.
Short Term Rental (STR) Impacts
One reason for the shortage of housing in places like Jasper is the proliferation of short-term rentals such as Airbnb, bookable online from anywhere in the world. It’s easy to see the appeal of STRs for vacationers who want more than a hotel room, and for property owners who can earn much more renting by the week or month than with year-long leases. The result is that these units are no longer available for those seeking long-term housing.
Workers in tourist areas such as Jasper or Vancouver Island towns cannot find a place to live because existing dwellings are increasingly becoming STRs. Local news reflects mixed opinions, as many residents feel STRs are changing their communities. Investors buying up homes for use as STRs compete with buyers who are looking for a place to live and stay long-term. Who is housing for: tourists or residents/workers? Some BC communities now require short-term rentals to operate with a business licence, while others have added legislation that would allow only primary homeowners to rent out their home (either a portion of the home or the entire home while the owner is away), but enforcement remains a problem. No easy solutions, but huge impacts on communities.
Working From Home
While staying in Comox (with family, not in a short-term rental!), one weekend we saw three moving vans on the street. In each case, the new homeowners were young couples moving from Greater Vancouver to work remotely from a new, more affordable home in a smaller community where they can have a yard, more space, and a quieter lifestyle. Work-From-Home (WFH) has made it possible to keep your job in Vancouver while living in a small town on Vancouver Island. Likewise, you can live in Chestermere, Airdrie, or Strathmore and work remotely in Calgary, perhaps driving into the city only on occasion.
This trend has made smaller towns suddenly attractive to young workers, not just to retirees or farmers and ranchers, and home prices in these towns may rise with increased demand. There will be demand for home office space in new housing, and a need for high-speed internet in outlying areas. Cities will change too, potentially seeing a “hollowing” out of downtown or more dispersed employment outside of the core, raising issues such as whether transit should still be focused on getting people to and from the city center.
What I learned on my summer vacation is that changes and development issues never take a rest! The most important thing that we can do is stay informed. Join your Community Association. Attend an open house regarding a project in your area. Learn about the pros and cons of any new proposal. Talk to your Councillor or your MLA and let them know how you feel. Don’t be afraid to write letters or pick up the phone.
If you are interested in community planning and redevelopment issues, we welcome new members to join us. We meet at 7:00 pm on the first Monday of every month in the Sportsplex Boardroom. Contact the BCA for more information at [email protected] or at 403-284-3477.
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