T
The Fish Assassin
Guest
From the T/C.
The owner of a North Pender Island resort is being forced by the B.C. Supreme Court to shut down, reigniting the debate over short-term vacation rentals on the Gulf Islands.
Robert Conconi, owner of the Timbers on North Pender Island, has been operating a commercial resort on residential land since 2003, violating an Islands Trust bylaw prohibiting short-term vacation rentals in residential areas.
The Timbers, which sits on 55 acres of waterfront land, has five cottages that accommodate up to six people each. The largest rents for up to $2,900 a week in peak season.
Residents in the area complained "en masse" about the resort, said Gary Steeves, a trustee for North Pender Island.
They were concerned about planes flying in, music from weddings, and strangers driving around their neighbourhood, he said.
It was the first time the Islands Trust has gone to court to resolve what has become a longstanding dispute across the Gulf Islands, between property owners who rent out their idyllic cabins and cottages to short-term guests and the residents who dream of a peaceful neighbourhood without a mini-hotel operating next door.
Sheila Malcolmson, chairwoman of the Islands Trust Council, said the ruling will send a message to property owners that "neighbourhoods are for neighbours."
But Carol Budnyk, president of the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce, said the decision could threaten North Pender's tourism industry, a major driver of the tiny Island's economy. "With the Trust attempting to prohibit short-term vacation rentals, it is definitely detrimental to our economy as a whole."
Budnyk said she hopes the Timbers, whose guests spend money at other area businesses, will not have to shut down.
Conconi, who is "shocked" at the ruling, will appeal, giving him time to operate his resort until a final judgment, said Pauline Jackson, of Platinum Vacation Group, which manages the bookings for the Timbers. Conconi was not available for comment.
The decision does not affect guests who have already booked, Jackson said. The Timbers has bookings until the end of the summer. But the resort is not taking further reservations and must shut down its website or be found in contempt of court, she said.
The decision affects other short-term rentals on North Pender Island, said Jackson, whose company manages a broker service for about 30 private owners who offer vacation spots.
Take only what you need.
The owner of a North Pender Island resort is being forced by the B.C. Supreme Court to shut down, reigniting the debate over short-term vacation rentals on the Gulf Islands.
Robert Conconi, owner of the Timbers on North Pender Island, has been operating a commercial resort on residential land since 2003, violating an Islands Trust bylaw prohibiting short-term vacation rentals in residential areas.
The Timbers, which sits on 55 acres of waterfront land, has five cottages that accommodate up to six people each. The largest rents for up to $2,900 a week in peak season.
Residents in the area complained "en masse" about the resort, said Gary Steeves, a trustee for North Pender Island.
They were concerned about planes flying in, music from weddings, and strangers driving around their neighbourhood, he said.
It was the first time the Islands Trust has gone to court to resolve what has become a longstanding dispute across the Gulf Islands, between property owners who rent out their idyllic cabins and cottages to short-term guests and the residents who dream of a peaceful neighbourhood without a mini-hotel operating next door.
Sheila Malcolmson, chairwoman of the Islands Trust Council, said the ruling will send a message to property owners that "neighbourhoods are for neighbours."
But Carol Budnyk, president of the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce, said the decision could threaten North Pender's tourism industry, a major driver of the tiny Island's economy. "With the Trust attempting to prohibit short-term vacation rentals, it is definitely detrimental to our economy as a whole."
Budnyk said she hopes the Timbers, whose guests spend money at other area businesses, will not have to shut down.
Conconi, who is "shocked" at the ruling, will appeal, giving him time to operate his resort until a final judgment, said Pauline Jackson, of Platinum Vacation Group, which manages the bookings for the Timbers. Conconi was not available for comment.
The decision does not affect guests who have already booked, Jackson said. The Timbers has bookings until the end of the summer. But the resort is not taking further reservations and must shut down its website or be found in contempt of court, she said.
The decision affects other short-term rentals on North Pender Island, said Jackson, whose company manages a broker service for about 30 private owners who offer vacation spots.
Take only what you need.
