Secondary suites go 22-1 at city council on Monday

City council poured through another batch of secondary suite applications on Monday.

Just one application out of 23 was defeated.

Coun. Shane Keating was the only member absent for the meeting.

Yet again, the votes were all over the map for the applicants who were approved.

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11-3. 10-4. 9-5. 8-6.

Coun. Jim Stevenson remains consistent in his opposition to practically every application.

The properties landowners sought to re-zone were from all corners of the city. From Valley Ridge to Forest Lawn. FromBeddingtontoMidnapore.

Mayor wants a new way

MayorNaheedNenshisaid he thinksit's possible to find a new way to deal with the applications at city hall.

But it's been a few months since any new suggestions have come forward since previous attempts to reform the system failed.

"I think it's fair to say that council is at the height of its frustration with our terribly broken system," aidNenshi.

It's an issue that has stymied this council, just as it has councils before it.

The applications and public hearings take hours to hear in the council chamber.

Coun. Druh Farrell tweeted at the end of Monday's parade of applicants that since 2014, 90 per cent of secondary suite applications have been approved by this council.

The reform-mindedNenshisaid he'd like to see something change before this fall's election.

But there is no sign of any new ideas.

"If I were giving political advice, I would say 'Take it off the table. Let's get it done before the election,' but that's really up to council," he said.

As for the unpredictable pattern of voting, the mayor said while some councillors consistently vote for secondary suites, others move to the opposition ranks if there isn't a back alley or if there's considerable community opposition.

Time running out on this council

There are two more meetings on land use matters for this council before the October election.

The meeting starting on July 31 will have at least 44 land use items, including more than 20 secondary suite applications.

It's too early to speculate on September's meeting agenda.

If councillors have a motion to bring forward to change the process before the election, time is running out.

It may be that real reform will be left to the next council, whichwill have at least three new people around thetable.

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