2023 R19 – Long-Term Vacant Buildings

Whereas long-term vacant buildings generate negative impacts on the vibrancy and safety of businesses and residents, which discourages investment in the municipality, results in decreased property values, negatively affects livability and desirability for nearby and adjoining neighbourhoods and properties, a strain on the capacity of the local governments to manage, and reduced local government property tax revenues;

And whereas current municipal statutory authorities regarding vacant buildings are limited to matters of health, safety, and protection of persons and property, unsightly conditions, and tax incentives, and do not provide specific authority to require the re-use of long-term vacant buildings when other statutory authorities prove ineffective:

Therefore be it resolved that AVICC request UBCM to lobby the Province of British Columbia to grant local government broader authority to incentivize or compel long-term vacant buildings to be functionally utilized in accordance with the zoning.