The Oak Bay B次元官网网址 recently published a letter written by Jan Mears regarding secondary suites. In that letter, she listed things that she thinks are wrong with Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 secondary accommodation bylaws and spoke in favour of secondary suites.

She spoke of the items on the list as if they were facts but provided no evidence or factual foundation for the statements. Perhaps her most egregious generalization was that B次元官网网址渟econdary suites are everywhere across Oak Bay.B次元官网网址� However, she again provided no evidence or facts to support that allegation. In fact, there has never been an analysis of where or how many secondary accommodations there are in single-family Oak Bay homes that are contrary to our zoning bylaws.

One of the cornerstones of good government is that sound public policy must be evidence based. It must be based on evidence and established facts, not on ideologies, beliefs, unproven assumptions or unfounded opinions.

Amending our bylaws to expand the number of secondary accommodations in single-family home neighborhoods would adversely affect the quality of life in those neighborhoods. Oak Bay council in the past has acknowledged that we will see among other things increased vehicle traffic, more congested on-street parking, and a decrease in the quality of our neighborhoodsB次元官网网址� character. Other obvious concerns including increased municipal costs and additional burdens on municipal infrastructure have also been raised by residents in the past.

I enjoy living in Oak Bay. Our present bylaws are serving us well. The quality of our lives here are second to none. I donB次元官网网址檛 want to see that diminished by bylaw amendments that fail to preserve the quality of life that we presently enjoy.

Bruce Filan

Oak Bay