There is Good News and Bad News in politics
ZONING PROGRESS
Several articles in the Vancouver Sun in recent years have pointed to problems with zoning laws, including separating work from residence - which many real people do not want to do - quoting people who point out the need to be less restrictive (with indications that government is coming to accept that). Of course people used to live above/behind their work - what did politicians and voters find wrong with that? Apparently in some cities including Vancouver that is somewhat acceptable again, though some like Seattle tried to force it which doesn't work (in part because the market varies by area/ neighbourhood - people will travel to where there are more stores).
Finally politicians are allowing innovative ways of providing lower cost housing, and developers are waking up. Small houses (which someone described as "a condo on the ground", and I note as good for people with mobility difficulties who want to live independently), sometimes on the lane behind a big house) Of course politicians will claim credit for the result of getting out of the way of productive people, one tactic being the use of cutesy words to describe basic things that aren't new. (Will the fiefdom of Saanich object to laneway houses as effectively detached secondary suites, or advocate them under a different name as it tried to by urging what would effectively be secondary suites in redevelopment of a motel property on Gorge Road? A bit amusing, as the concept was like some motel rooms - two entry doors, and a lockable door between areas).
These may be cracks in a system of zoning that remains oppressive overall. For example:
- one fiefdom had to change its laws to allow a small park in a neighbourhood (hmm - just level the lot and plant good grass, then it is an "undeveloped lot"? ;-). (A few dirt piles would make it attractive to kids, they prefer that to fancy playground equipment.
- View Royal B.C.'s laws did not allow a charity to erect a residential building near a hospital to provide temporary accommodation for caretakers of persons from out of the area who were in the hospital. View Royal council did not want to simply revise the law, because they feared someone might build a motel near the hospital. So what is wrong with that? Especially in a fiefdom that lacks hotels for visiting staff and salespeople? (I'll bet Super 8 would be interested, the hospital has a cafeteria for meals and there is a small grocery store a few blocks away whose selection includes produce at reasonable prices and prepared food, even videos to rent.)
Stock Exchange
- According to Silicon Valley North - British Columbia newspaper of October 2001, page 3.
(In contrast, Canada's federal government is poor at accepting submissions made to other fiefdoms.)
Even TAXPAYER FUNDED FACILITIES
Some branches of the King County library system (around Seattle) are open until 9pm Sunday evening. It appears as though a substantial proportion of the attendees then are persons who observe a religious day other than Sunday. That makes good sense - and is fair, since as taxpayers they pay for the library.
The Belleveue Aquatic Center is located beside a school near many apartment buildings. That's a smart location.
The city of Victoria BC and some suburbs put maps on the traffic-signal control boxes attached to some light poles. Complete with graffiti-resistant finish.
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Copyright smilin' Keith Sketchley 2012.10.14 Legalities on home page.
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