An opinion survey on secondary suites has yielded hundreds of responses for City of Chilliwack staff to mull over.
Chilliwack is looking at what it would take to legalize secondary suites.
By the end of June, close to 800 surveys had come in, according to the second quarter report from staff.
Secondary suites, often called “inlaw suites” or “granny flats” are regulated differently across the Lower Mainland.
A followup report, mapping out the various options, will be put together by staff this fall, for further community input and consideration by City Council, likely in October.
The report will include a comprehensive analysis of the issues, and approaches taken by other B.C. municipalities, and the actions taken to “legalize” existing suites, and identify policy options for council’s deliberation and direction.
The Secondary Suites Study report will look at existing policies, other jurisdictions, existing suites, and costs, zoning and other issues. City reps have been collecting input from citizens with this survey and there’s more coming.
Bringing existing suites into compliance would mean requiring permits, upgrading, as well as inspections and fees. Some of the issues that come with secondary suites are parking and zoning.
The entire study is set to conclude by December 31.
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