By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg could possibly ring in 2024 with a bylaw governing the licensing and operation of short-term accommodations.
This time line was floated at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting as council heard concerns from several speakers, including Grant Hayes of the Genedco and Guardian property-management companies.
Hayes acknowledged that condominium boards are passing their own regulations to govern owners of units who put their spaces to this use and, in effect, spoil the peaceful enjoyment of their neighbours in their own homes with the noise and disruption of what he termed a revolving-door unit.
But neighbours in non-condominium situations are not so lucky, he said. They are left on their own to deal with the loss of the quiet enjoyment of their homes, the decline in property values, the increased liability risk, the parking issues and other fall-out that lessens their security and raises their insurance costs.
No perfect solution exists, Hayes allowed. His companies work in 20 communities, each of which is taking the steps they deem most appropriate.
Hayes was followed by two speakers from the audience, allowed through the Open Forum portion of the meeting. One, who did not identify himself, pointed out that New York has banned the majority of STAs.
“I think Halifax has done the same thing, Vancouver has done the same thing,” he added.
The speaker mentioned his own research that indicates that as many as 31,000 residences and low-income housing units have been lost to the market through homes being used as STAs and not as homes to live in.
Municipal Clerk and Director of Legislative Services Brent Larmer said that a public meeting on the issue is scheduled for Oct. 30, following which he expects a report back to council in November and the potential passage of governing legislation by year's end.
In Larmer's own presentation, he said the town's study of this situation began in 2021. Feedback from a survey that was conducted has informed the drafting of licensing and zoning bylaw amendments that will be presented at the Oct. 30 meeting.
In Ontario, he said, STAs represent one of the fastest-growing sectors of the sharing economy, but they present a number of benefits and challenges. Ideally, zoning regulations and licensing operators should help balance the benefits and mitigate potential negative effects.
There are three kinds of STAs, he said.
The traditional bed-and-breakfasts operate in someone's principal residence with the owners present. This model presents the fewest challenges and problems.
There is the principal residence where the owner rents out the premises at certain given times, such as during a winter stay in Florida.
Then there is the house that is nobody's principal residence, but is rented out at virtually any time. This model presents the most challenges and problems. The ones that most frequently arise have to do with nuisance, noise and parking.
Larmer is proposing that investigation fees be part of any regulations to cover the costs of looking into reports of trouble that arise at these locations.
In all cases, compliance with all governing legislation (fire code, health and safety regulations, noise and nuisance-control bylaws, for example) must be ensured.
The hope is to strike a balance between prohibition and sufficient regulations to address local context, Director of Planning and Development Anne Taylor Scott said.
Taylor Scott noted that STAs support the local economy and tourism, but acknowledged the impact on rental and affordable housing. Each house left as a residence has the potential to become three residences with the addition of a basement apartment and coachhouse. Each house used as an STA, therefore, takes one to three homes off the market.
Among regulations proposed are permitting STAs anywhere residential dwellings are permitted, prohibiting the use of such accessory dwellings as basement apartments as STAs and, where rentals are offered on a room-by-room basis, requiring one parking space for each rented guest room.
Larmer discussed the licensing requirements. It will be required, for example, that an operator's license number appear on any online listing.
There will also be insurance requirements, principal-residence requirements, and the requirement that a local contact be available to renters on a 24/7 basis, not to mention a Visitors' Code.
Enforcement procedures and penalties will have to be established, Larmer noted, adding that some municipalities had been forced to hire staff specifically for this purpose. An administrative penalty – for example, $250 for each day on which the contravention occurs or continues – will be a must.
There is also the matter of a Municipal Accommodation Tax. This can be set by the municipality, but is typically 4%. It is collected by the accommodation provider at the time of booking and regularly paid to the municipality, which is required to use half of this revenue to support tourism-related activities.
“This is going to have a major effect on staff requirements in the whole bylaw area,” Councillor Randy Barber predicted. “I think we have to take that into account well in advance.”
Cobourg will schedule public meeting on vehicles for hire
The process of modernizing Cobourg's vehicle-for-hire regulations will be the subject of a public meeting yet to be scheduled, following council's vote at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting.
The report from Municipal Clerk and Director of Legislative Services Brent Larmer noted that the advent of such players as Uber and Lyft to the local vehicles-for-hire industry started the process of revising the town's regulatory system. There was also the fact that the Taxicab Licensing Bylaw does not address limousines.
Council received by-laws as part of the report, and passed the motion authorizing the scheduling of a public meeting to get further feedback from members of the public, the taxi industry and representatives of ride-sharing services.
NEW event will debut in October
A new event will take place Oct. 14 and 15 in Port Hope, and Maria Papaioannoy addressed Cobourg council at Monday's committee-of-the-whole session to tell them all about it – the Northumberland Expo for Women.
The Cobourg resident moved to town in 2016 with her husband and opened a business in downtown Port Hope, during which time, “our hearts have been attuned to the rhythm of this vibrant community – not only Cobourg, but Northumberland as well.”
Her approaching 50th birthday determined to observe it in a meaningful way, which is the genesis of her joining forces with Signe Langford to organize the NEW event that would allow women to “voice their thoughts and inspire everyone around them...a platform where the outstanding women of Northumberland County could showcase their talents and other could learn,” she said - “network, learn and uplift one another.”
Papaioannoy described an impressive line-up of speakers who will offer such events as leadership workshops and career-development sessions, but noted that the opportunity for networking could also hold a great deal of promise for participants.
“When one woman is empowered, her entire community benefits,” she stated.
Her request of council and municipal staff was not for money or an in-kind donation, Papaioannoy said, but “a feel-good request” - to spread the news of the coming event with the women in their lives.
“We do need to celebrate the incredible female stewardship and leadership in this community,” Mayor Lucas Cleveland agreed.
The event will take place at OfficeLinx in Port Hope at 115 Toronto Rd., Papaioannoy said, and schedules of speakers and events can be found on their social-media platform at @northumberlandexpowomen
Poet Laureate search widens
The process to find Cobourg's new poet laureate will be a little more open, council learned at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting.
The motion they passed alluded to the previous notion “that the title of Poet Laureate is an honour bestowed rather than a position of employment,” meaning that individuals would not be invited to apply for the position. The nominating committee would identify a candidate and confirm his or her willingness to serve.
Council passed the motion to amend this section to invite members of the public to submit nominations.
Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan confirmed that the idea was to create a more inclusive search that includes a look at members of non-traditional groups.
“We want to ensure this is a very inclusive and responsive process,” Vaughan said.
Cobourg council wears orange in solidarity
The territorial acknowledgment read out at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting of Cobourg council meeting was the same one read at all council meetings – except this one was received by a council mostly attired in orange.
Mayor Lucas Cleveland commented on the colour worn by councillors and staffers at the committee-of-the-whole session, and its appropriateness with Saturday being the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“I encourage all the public to look at our Cobourg website, with incredible opportunities to learn of the Indigenous Nations around us,” Cleveland said.
The mayor added that the site also lists events and observances being held in honour of the occasion, and his hope that everyone will take advantage of these opportunities.
