Do you know a seasonal worker looking for a place to park a campervan or RV this summer? Well, they might be able to get a permit for that.
The District of Ucluelet and the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce launched a pilot housing project for seasonal staff last week.
The project involves fast-tracking Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to allow for an approved campsite for seasonal workers.
The application deadline is April 16 and permits can be issued to businesses owners with a space or they can be issued to property owners looking to rent a space. Ucluelet Chamber executive director Laurie Filgiano said the idea came out of Ucluelet’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force.
“We might get five applications, we might get 200. We have no idea. But we aren’t putting a cap on it, no matter what, we are going to try help as many businesses and landowners as we can get through this process,” said Filgiano.
Public input and permit approvals will take place on May 11.
“Seasonal housing is a really big issue for a lot of people in this community, but we also don’t want to put our neighbours in a position that makes them uncomfortable. People that are affected by any permit request put forward have the opportunity to address their concerns,” she said, adding that in order to avoid possible conflict, interested applicants should speak to their neighbours early on.
Filgiano is compiling a list of businesses with seasonal staff “looking for a place to park”. She encouraged curious landowners and business owners in need to reach out.
“I’ll be connecting landowners with people that are looking. There are a lot of business owners out there that don’t have the land,” she said.
Ucluelet’s manager of community planning, Bruce Greig, said tiny homes on wheels are a viable option.
“It’s no different than an RV. It’s a camper. It just looks different,” said Greig during an April 6 public information session on Zoom video.
Greig went on to note that this initiative is not the permanent housing solution for the town.
“It’s a pilot. We are trying it out. The key is think out your application. Is it a safe and clean solution? Talk to your neighbours,” he said.
Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable TUP fee of $350. Filgiano said applicants should send their paperwork her way for a pre-application review before April 13 as any incomplete applications will be rejected. For more information on the project, please visit the Chamber of Commerce website: uclueletchamber.com/pilotworkerhousingproject or call Filgiano at (250) 726-4641.
nora.omalley@westerlynews.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
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