Editor:
Re: Won’t break city to aid businesses, Sept. 28 letters.
I couldn’t agree more with letter-writer Rick Falls in his request for help from the City of White Rock while his business is being devastated by the tsunami of construction and revitalization going on in White Rock.
In a recent report done by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, titled Helping Small Businesses Survive Infrastructure Work, it is noted that the average loss for a business impacted by a major project is $112,000. Furthermore, many business owners are being forced to dip into their retirement funds to survive, move away or simply close down.
I have personally seen five businesses close down or move away in the immediate block to my business – i.e. Deals World, etc. – as the result of the city rezoning decisions below Thrift Avenue.
Cities all over the world recognize the value and character that small businesses bring to a city. The CFIB report recommends working with the city to develop a construction-mitigation policy, including compensation for businesses that face losses due to construction. This would include a “no surprises” rule, with regular “state of infrastructure” reports so that businesses know what is coming down the pipe.
This is something that is badly lacking in White Rock.
The city has discovered a lucrative new form of obtaining cash for its coffers – CACs (community amenity contributions), which developers pay in additional fees for the “right” to go higher than the existing allowable height. The city has raked in millions of CAC and DCC (development cost charges) money over the past few years. Assisting the small businesses that are already paying some of the highest property taxes in the Lower Mainland is the only right thing to do.
Some will say “re-development is badly needed” and “look how great it will be for the businesses when all done.” I agree, re-development is needed, but only with proper planning and phase-in principles in place.
Yes, it will be great for businesses left standing in five to seven years, or for any new business that wants to locate here after the dust has settled. But this could go on much longer, depending on which council is elected on Oct. 20.
So, City of White Rock, how would you like to do this; develop a fair construction mitigation policy or face a class-action lawsuit similar to what the Cambie Street merchants just successfully won in Vancouver?
Kelly Breaks, Blue Frog Studios