Dear Editor,
Big Box Containers – The benefits of this efficient and secure storage solution are obvious -they are however unsightly and are increasingly becoming a visual “blight” on the beauty of our valleys and residential subdivisions.
Amazingly, unlike traditionally constructed storage sheds or garages, there is no planning permission or application required (other than the normal property line set-backs) for placing one on a residential property and no increase is made to the value of a property hence no increase in property taxes.
Imagine then coming home to find one of these “permanently installed” in a neighbours yard with no opportunity to voice an objection, no obligation to place it discretely or to “camouflage” it and no property tax increase implications either.
Surely the RDOS is obliged to take a leadership role in this matter and protect the interests of its residents. At least the same planning application approval process should be applied to the placements of big box containers as is in place for garages and sheds.
Perhaps RDOS should go even further and ensure that these units are placed as discretely as possible on residential properties and that fences to conceal them are installed. It is certainly appropriate to initiate a significant property tax increase – one that might possibly even prevent the placement of a big box on a residential property in the first place.
Yours sincerely,
Brian FitzGerald, Princeton, BC