Langford renters paying for a parking space at their apartment building might want to do some digging through their buildingB次元官网网址檚 development paperwork, as it might save them some money.
Buried in the piles of development and construction permit paperwork which precedes any new building may be a covenant prohibiting building owners from charging separately for resident parking spaces. Depending on how old the building is, in Langford at least there is a pretty good chance such a covenant exists.
B次元官网网址漁ne of the powers that council has at the time of zoning is setting conditions on development like this. So when we have apartment rezoning in the past four or five years, we have had the requirement that parking not be priced separately from the rental of the unit,B次元官网网址� said director of planning Matthew Baldwin.
READ MORE: Parking complaints on the rise in Langford
Baldwin said the practice of placing such covenants on new apartment buildings was started to reduce the impact of the cityB次元官网网址檚 rapid growth on existing residents and businesses. Without the covenant, he said the city found residents in apartment buildings were choosing to park on nearby residential streets, rather than pay an additional monthly fee for a parking spot in their building.
So far, the practice seems to be effective, but Baldwin notes there have been instances where residents have reported being charged separately for parking spaces despite covenants being in place on their building.
Usually, he said, any misunderstandings like that happen when a property changes owners and the new owners, or the building managers they hire, are not read-up on all the legal requirements placed on the property.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had inquiries from tenants and gone and spoken to landlords on their behalf, and I believe the issue is resolved as it should be, so I think it is working well,B次元官网网址� said Baldwin. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 typically just out of a misunderstanding.B次元官网网址�
Baldwin said any residents curious about whether their building has a covenant can reach out to the cityB次元官网网址檚 planning department. Staff will be able to pull the buildingB次元官网网址檚 documents, and can contact the building owner if any requirements are not being met.
On the West Shore, Langford is rather unique in this particular covenant practice. The Town of View Royal told Black Press Media they do not place similar covenants on developments within the town, and Colwood Mayor Rob Martin said neither does his city.
B次元官网网址淲e have not looked at doing that, but to be honest B次元官网网址� I have to congratulate Langford on that work,B次元官网网址� said Martin. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to see that going, and I could definitely see us replicating that model if it ends up being successful.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE: Langford set to require developers to make parking spots EV-ready
justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com
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