But an eviction date is looming and the tenants, who Knudtson says include a teacher, a health worker and a tradesman, could soon be forced out of their homes in the southwest Victoria township. In January, the Capital Regional District (CRD) issued the owner with an eviction notice, saying the additional homes were in violation of a Mechosin district zoning statute which limits the property to one residence and one secondary suite. Since then, the district has granted two extensions to allow tenants to find new places, but will not grant any more after Aug. 31. Knudtson says he and other residents, unable to find affordable space in the area to put their homes, are out of options. “We’re at the point now where there’s nowhere to go,” he explained, adding that he’s disappointed the district refused to take emergency measures to help them stay there. “We’re hiding here like criminals and I don’t think we are. We’re just people who found one [housing] solution that he did not provide us”, he said. Knudtsons owner Saige Lancaster said she bought the property four years ago with the intention of opening it up to tiny homes like Knudtson’s, which are built with wood, insulation and siding like a full-size home under what appeared to be legal gray area. the local statute. But after several emails and phone calls to the CRD and Metchosin, she says she received a bylaw notice that says if the tenants haven’t moved out by their eviction date, she’ll be fined $100 a day, per bylaw violation. Bryce Knudtson says he’s been living in his tiny house in Metchosin for the past two years. (Adam van der Zwan/CBC)
Metchosin is “basically rural,” the mayor says
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns says the district was established in 1984 to provide a strictly rural alternative to the rapidly urbanizing area, and the 20 or so properties that allow more than one dwelling are those created after incorporation. “We’re one of two quintessentially rural communities … and it doesn’t make sense to compromise that,” Rance said when asked about the possibility of rezoning the property. “Allowing any kind of density is like a cancer. It just comes in and takes over.” Rance said rezoning the property before the October municipal election would be too much of a change and would significantly affect the character of the community. It would also be costly given the energy, waste and building regulations the district would have to enforce, along with the demand for more urban infrastructure, which would cost taxpayers. Lancaster said she trucks water for her tenants, and they all use composting toilets, which have worked just fine. He said he has asked Metchosin to enact an emergency ordinance similar to this one one passed last year by the Islands Trust, allowing illegal rental units on Salt Spring Island to remain “until there are … suitable affordable housing options” for residents. Rance says that kind of measure would be something the next council would consider after the election, in which he is not running after eight terms as mayor.
Municipalities have a duty to their residents: CRD Director
In May 2018, the CRD and the provincial and federal governments announced up to $120 million to build approximately 2,000 rental units in the area, including 1,400 affordable units. Saanich councilor and CRD director Jeremy Loveday said the program, which ends this year, “may not be meeting the needs of some of the more rural and remote communities,” adding that the CRD is launching a new housing program in 2023, focused on about the unique housing needs of rural areas so that residents do not have to leave their community. Bryce Knudtson is calling on Metchosin County to enact an emergency law, similar to the one passed on Salt Spring Island, that would allow him to live in his home until a more permanent affordable housing solution is in place. (Adam van der Zwan/CBC) Loveday said he respected rural areas and the need to protect farmland, but “I would also hope that if people lose their homes, there will be a concerted effort by local government to … make sure people don’t stay without space I go.” Lancaster says she questions the definition of rural if Metchosin County cares about urbanization. “We do not have [cut down] any trees. We have very little impact on the environment here,” he said. “Instead of building apartments, this [tiny home community] could be the solution to the housing crisis while keeping Metchosin a rural community.” Knudtson said he would like to see an emergency law enacted to allow for a temporary housing exemption while a permanent solution is put in place. He said if he can’t stay on the property, he’ll have to quit his job, sell his tiny house and leave south Vancouver Island.
