In 2016, Krystyna Janik decided to have her dream house built on Bluffs Drive in Qualicum Beach.
But for Janik, that dream has become a nightmare.
The Town of Qualicum Beach has denied her an occupancy permit, due to a zoning violation because the height of the house contravenes the townB次元官网网址檚 bylaws. A notice on the property will be submitted to the land office until the height issues are resolved.
Janik was given an opportunity to appear before Qualicum Beach council on Dec. 9, to convince the town not to put a notice on her property and also allow her to move into the home.
B次元官网网址淭he house is a little bit too high,B次元官网网址� Janik said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an innocent mistake. It was completely unintentional. It just happened. I donB次元官网网址檛 have reason to build my house higher. My house is safe. It is built in accordance with the safety regulation.B次元官网网址�
Janik added visually her house does not appear any higher than her neighbourB次元官网网址檚 house and is not bothering anyone.
B次元官网网址淭o rebuild the roof it would cost me huge amount of money,B次元官网网址� said Janik. B次元官网网址淔rom what I understand it would be over $300,000. I donB次元官网网址檛 have this money. I am 74 years old. I work very hard for my life and I really wanted for my remaining years of my life to live in peace and quiet. It was my goal. It was my dream. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why I decided to build this house in that area because it appears to me to be a very good area. Very nice area and very quiet place.B次元官网网址�
Janik pleaded to council to grant her an occupancy permit.
B次元官网网址淚 feel deep sadness after all these years when I work so hard and I have been dreaming to have something,B次元官网网址� said Janik. B次元官网网址淣ow it turned into something very unpleasant. It affects my budget, it affects my health. I am hoping you would have compassion in your heart to allow me to move to the house so I can really enjoy it.B次元官网网址�
Ursula Kur, who lives close to Bluffs Drive, spoke to council to support Janik.
Kur explained she and her husband drove around to look at the different house designs and structures along Bluffs Drive and compared them with JanikB次元官网网址檚 house.
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 see anything that stood out about KrystynaB次元官网网址檚 house that was so not acceptable to I guess people around the Bluffs,B次元官网网址� said Kur. B次元官网网址淎nd what IB次元官网网址檝e learned over time that this has really brought incredible division in the community that should really be together and neighbours that should support each other. Because it really doesnB次元官网网址檛 make any difference, 16 inches on someoneB次元官网网址檚 roof, to someoneB次元官网网址檚 survival and being able to actually live and continue.B次元官网网址�
Kur said sheB次元官网网址檚 seen JanikB次元官网网址檚 health deteriorate because of this and questions who actually benefits from all of this.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 unable to enjoy the hard-earned fruits of her life,B次元官网网址� said Kur, who also asked the council for compassion.
Councillors sympathized with JanikB次元官网网址檚 situation but they indicated that she was given ample notice to correct the situation. Coun. Robert Filmer said if all the house on the Bluffs are conforming, no exceptions should be given.
B次元官网网址淪ixteen inches, thatB次元官网网址檚 a lot,B次元官网网址� said Filmer. B次元官网网址淚f it was one or two inches over, it might be a different story but thatB次元官网网址檚 not the case. I support where weB次元官网网址檙e going with this.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Scott Harrison said B次元官网网址渁 hardline is totally warranted,B次元官网网址� stressing the importance of being consistent when enforcing town policies and bylaws.
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