MINUTES of a regular meeting of the MUNICIPAL COUNCIL of The Corporation of the District of Oak Bay, held in the Council Chambers, Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, Oak Bay, B.C., on Monday, December 12, 2005.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton

Councillor H. Braithwaite

Councillor S. F. B. Carson

Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor P. Copley

Councillor J. D. Herbert

Councillor N. B. Jensen (arrived at 7:40 p.m.)

STAFF:

Municipal Administrator, W. E. Cochrane

Municipal Clerk, L. Hilton

Executive Secretary, D. Beesley

Director of Building and Planning, N. Beattie

Municipal Treasurer, P. A. Walker

Municipal Engineer, S. G. Pitt

 

Mayor Causton called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

MINUTES OF MEETING:

 

Council – November 28, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, November 28, 2005, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

Inaugural Council – December 5, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, December 5, 2005, be adopted.

 

Referring to the confirmation of appointments contained in the Council minutes, Mayor Causton noted that in order for Council to make an appointment to the Regional Water Supply Commission the public must be given an opportunity to make its views known to Council.  In this regard Mayor Causton asked if any member of the public had any reason why Councillor Nils Jensen should not be appointed to the Commission.  No one came forward.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2006-2

 

CRYSTAL METH VICTORIA SOCIETY, December 7, 2005

Re Support for Communities Responding to Methamphetamine Grant Program Application to Union of British Columbia Municipalities

 

Mayor Causton said the Premier recently announced that funding, for awareness and education of crystal meth addiction, is available under the Communities Responding to Methamphetamine Grant Program through application to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.  Oak Bay, he said, is being asked to support the Crystal Meth Victoria Society’s application for this Grant.

 

Mark McLaughlin, President, Crystal Meth Victoria Society, explained that the grant would be used to fund staff working on many aspects of the crystal meth addiction problem in Victoria.  He noted that there are also hundreds of volunteers who work with the Society.

 

Responding to a question from Council, Mr. McLaughlin said that the application to the  Union of B.C. Municipalities is for funds that would be dispersed to and managed by the Society.  The District of Oak Bay would have no obligations with respect to tracking the funding or executing the Methamphetamine Grant Program, said Mr. McLaughlin.

 

Mayor Causton said that he had spoken with Sue Clark, Program Officer, Union of B.C. Municipalities, who had confirmed to him that, if Oak Bay supported the Crystal Meth Society’s application, the Society would be responsible for the requirements as laid out in the Communities Responding to Methamphetamine Grant Program.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson,

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Council support the Crystal Meth Victoria Society’s application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Methamphetamine Response Funding Program.

CARRIED

 

2.

--

2006-3

 

2006-3-1

2006-3-2

2006-3-3

2006-3-4

 

2006-3-5

 

2005-293

2005-293-1

EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF COUNCIL, November 14, 2005

GERALD L. PORTER AND JANICE M. PORTER, December 5, 2005

GERALDINE PEET, December 2, 2005

ROGER F. COPITHORNE, December 1, 2005

MAIZIE PARIKH, November 30, 2005

LAVERNE, DALE AND JOHN CHURCHILL, November 23, 2005

DAGMAR HAUPTHOFF AND HANS HAUPTHOFF, November 20, 2005

ANN MACMILLAN AND IAN MACMILLAN, October 7, 2005

MUNICIPAL CLERK, November 9, 2005

Re Proposed Purchase of Part of Maquinna Street Right of Way

 

Responding to questions from Council, the Municipal Clerk acknowledged that the majority of the letters received were in favour of selling part of the Maquinna Street right of way.  The next step in the sale process, she said, would be to commission an appraisal of the land, with the reduced area as proposed by the MacMillan’s in their letter.

 

Ian MacMillan, 24 Maquinna Street, responded to questions from Council stating that he would restrict the height of any vegetation in the proposed public land to be purchased in response to his neighbour’s concerns with respect to protecting the view they currently have. 

 

Mr. MacMillan also noted that he understood Council’s wishes with respect to limiting the floor area ratio and site coverage of his lot to that currently available before being augmented with a portion of the road right of way as well as the no building restriction in the new area, should the land be sold to him.  He further agreed to no blasting in the rocky outcroppings.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert,

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to commission an appraisal for the part of the Maquinna Street right of way as set out in Item No. 2005-293-1.

CARRIED

 

3.

2006-4

--

 

2006-4-1

2006-4-2

2006-4-3

2006-4-4

2006-4-5

2005-309

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, December 6, 2005

EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, November 21, 2005

PETITION FROM LOGAN STEWART et al, December 3, 2005

RICHARD AND JUSTINE COOPER, [undated]

NIGEL BROOKS, [undated]

CRD WATER SERVICES, December 6, 2005

FRANCES M. WOODWARD, December 8, 2005

DONALD H. HUDSON, November 2, 2005

Re Proposed Radio Antenna Installation, 3343 University Woods

 

The Municipal Administrator described the situation surrounding the proposed radio antenna installation at 3343 University Woods, acknowledging the Federal government’s  overriding jurisdiction with respect to telecommunications. The Federal government, explained Mr. Cochrane, recognizes that a local government should play a role in the approval process for such an installation and mandates a local consultation process.

 

In this case, said Mr. Cochrane, the owner of 3343 University Woods has presented his Notification to a Local Authority of the Installation of an Antenna Support Structure, as required by Industry Canada, to Council.  The District of Oak Bay extended its own notice to area residents, the District of Saanich and the Capital Regional District Water Department as directed by Council, said Mr. Cochrane. 

 

Responding to questions from Council, Mr. Cochrane explained that Council could notify Industry Canada and the applicant of its views with respect to the antenna.

 

Members of Council indicated their support to notify Industry Canada that Council is not in favour of the proposed installation in light of the letters and petitions received from neighbours, as well as the letter from the CRD Water Commission which opposes the proposed antenna installation.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Item Nos. 2006-4, 2006-4-1, 2006-4-2, 2006-4-3, 2006-4-3, 2006-4-5 be received and further that staff write to Industry Canada to indicate that Council does not support the application from the owner of 3343 University Woods with respect to a proposed antenna installation.

 

Robin Adair, property owner of adjoining strata lot No. 4 in the municipality of Saanich, stated that there is an existing antenna situated on the property at 3343 University Woods for which he was not previously notified.

 

The question was then called.

            CARRIED

 

4.

--

2005-297

EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF COUNCIL, November 14, 2005

KEN GRANT, October 21, 2005

Re Request for Heritage Designation—1538 Beach Drive

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the request for heritage designation of 1538 Beach Drive be referred to the Heritage Advisory Panel for investigation and a recommendation to Council.

CARRIED

 

5.

2006-5

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES, November 29, 2005

Re Membership Dues for 2006 -2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert,

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That payment of the invoice for the 2006-2007 Federation of Canadian Municipalities membership dues in the amount of $2,111.17, which excludes the optional travel contribution, be approved.

CARRIED

 

6.

2006-6

 

CAPITAL REGION EMERGENCY SERVICES TELECOMMUNICATIONS, November 28, 2005

Re Conduct of Annual General Meeting

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy,

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That:

1.    The 2005 CREST Directors’ Report be received and approved;

2.    The December 31, 2004 CREST Audited Financial Statements be received and approved;

3.    The Reappointment of KPMG, Chartered Accountants, as auditors for CREST be approved;

4.    The CREST 2006 Operating and Capital Budgets be approved;

5.    The Members’ Levy for 2006 be approved; and

6.    That Councillor John Herbert be appointed to vote on the Municipality’s behalf at the CREST Annual General Meeting to be held December 21, 2005.

CARRIED

 

 

7.

2006-7

DEPUTY TREASURER, December 1, 2005

Re 2006 Tender Award Recommendations

 

The Municipal Treasurer noted that there are some substantial increases in the 2006 tenders over 2005, noting the limited number of responses to the tenders.  Ms. Walker drew attention to the two contract extension options available.

 

The Municipal Administrator answered questions from Council regarding the tenders.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy,

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the 2006 tenders be awarded as follows:

 

1.      PW01-2006 – Backhoe Rental tender: C&F Equipment Rentals;

2.      PW02-2006 – Gravel Supply tender: Lehigh Northwest Materials, extension of contract;

3.      PW03-2006 – Ready Mix Concrete tender: Butler Brothers Supplies;

4.      PW04-2006 – Tandem Truck Rental tender: Lopeter Trucking Ltd.;

5.      PW05-2006 – Scrap Metal Roll-Off tender: Budget Steel, extension of contract; and

6.      PW06-2006 – Excavator Rental tender: C&F Equipment Rentals.

CARRIED

 

8.

2006-8

2006-8-1

LIAM HALL, November 17, 2005

MUNICIPAL ENGINEER, November 25, 2005

Re Proposed Boulevard Encroachment—1790 Beach Drive

 

The Municipal Engineer confirmed that there is an existing boulevard encroachment agreement for 1790 Beach Drive for landscaping the boulevard of the Beach Drive side of the property.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That approval be given for a boulevard encroachment at 1790 Beach Drive for the purpose of landscaping, subject to the owners entering into a boulevard encroachment agreement with the Municipality.

CARRIED

 

9.

2006-9

2006-9-1

2006-9-2

GORDON AND MARLA SLOAN, December 2, 2005

ALLAN AND DONNA BELL, Undated

ANNE PARKINSON, December 8, 2005

Re Development Variance Permit—2093 Crescent Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That Items Nos. 2006-9, 2006-9-1, and 2006-9-2 be received.

CARRIED

 

10.

2006-10

2006-10-1

2006-10-2

DOUG AND CHRISTINE ALLEN, December 7, 2005

BRIAN COPLEY, December 4, 2005

ALAN AND KATHLEEN LITTLE, December 1, 2005

Re Development Variance Permit—1022 St. Patrick Street

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Item Nos. 2006-10, 2006-10-1 and 2006-10-2 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS/REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Councillor Jensen raised concerns regarding the potential demolition of the art deco house at 230 King George Terrace, noting that it was his wish to find a solution to save this important heritage property. 

 

In his view, said Councillor Jensen, staff should be asked to come up with options to save the house as a heritage property and allow the existing house to remain while the new house is under construction.  He made note of another situation on King George Terrace where an existing house was permitted to remain while the new dwelling was being constructed.

 

The Municipal Administrator noted that inasmuch as Council previously chose to not allow the existing house to remain while construction is being completed, it is only in the power of Mayor Causton to bring back Council’s decision for reconsideration for up to 30 days afterwards.

 

Mr. Cochrane outlined the events surrounding 200 and 230 King George Terrace since the owner first applied to purchase part of the Prince Andrew Place right of way in May 2004.

 

Currently, said Mr. Cochrane, the owner of 200 and 230 King George Terrace has both a demolition and building permit for 230 King George Terrace.  With respect to the construction of a house further down on King George Terrace, said Mr. Cochrane, the previous Director of Building and Planning allowed the existing dwelling to remain while a new dwelling was being constructed because he felt that it would best serve the surrounding neighbours to have a temporary construction shack to store building materials on that property.

 

Mr. Cochrane stated that if a three lot subdivision application were to be received for 200 – 230 King George Terrace it would not be possible, without Zoning Bylaw variances, to approve it if the two houses were to remain situated as they are.  Variances would be addressed through a public consultation process after review by the Building Department and Approving Officer.  The subdivision process, said Mr. Cochrane, may take up to six or eight months.

 

Responding to a question from Council with respect to protecting the two existing art-deco houses, Mr. Cochrane noted that because a temporary protection order had been placed on the house at 230 King George Terrace another order would not be possible for the same property without the consent of the owner.

 

There was speculation regarding what the owners’ intentions are with respect to their property given that conflicting information has been received and the owners are not in attendance to present their views.  It was noted that the demolition of the existing house and construction of the new house is in the owners’ control, as is the decision to apply for a subdivision.

 

TABLED:

 

Development Variance Permit—2093 crescent road

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the following motion be lifted from the table:

 

That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit in respect to Lot H, Section 19, Victoria District, Plan 291C (2093 Crescent Road) which will vary the regulations of Bylaw No. 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended, to permit the siting of a paved surface which will cover 57% of the rear yard, in accordance with the plans attached to the memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated November 7, 2005.

 

Elisa Djurickovic, Owner, 2093 Crescent Road, described the proposed landscaping plans for the paved courtyard at 2093 Crescent Road, noting that she plans to plant immature hedges around the sunken paved patio, which will fill in and shield the patio from passers-by.

 

Responding to questions from Council, Slobodan Djurickovic, Owner, 2093 Crescent Road, said he and his contractor simply were not aware of the maximum allowable paved surface regulation of the Zoning Bylaw before the sunken patio was constructed.

 

The Director of Building and Planning noted that the paved surface area was not included on the Djurickovics’ building permit application.  During their regular course of business, said Mr. Beattie, Engineering Department staff became aware of the Bylaw contravention and notified the Building Department.

 

Responding to questions, Mr. Djurickovic noted that he chose a hard surface for the courtyard because of privacy and drainage reasons.  The depth of the patio, he said, is 20 inches with a set of steps, all of which would be screened from the road.

 

Mr. Beattie responded to questions from Council with respect to the application, noting that the plans before Council would form part of the Permit, if issued.

 

There was discussion regarding the consequences of not adhering to the plans of a Development Variance Permit, and Mr. Cochrane noted that a court injunction could be sought in that regard. 

 

Anne Parkinson, 2087 Crescent Road, noted her concerns stating that, in the case at hand, the Bylaw regulation is being greatly exceeded and should the variance be approved, a negative precedent may be set.  Ms. Parkinson also said she was concerned with the height of the proposed trellis and hedge, noting that, in her opinion, they were not in keeping with the ambience of the neighbourhood.

 

Responding to a question from Council, Mr. Beattie confirmed that it is the paving material, not the sunken design of the patio, which requires a variance.  He further noted that hedge height is not regulated, while fencing is.

 

Following discussion it was the majority view of Council that the proposed plans would not have a negative impact on the surrounding properties.  It was also noted that the area would not be able to be used for additional parking, given the sunken nature of the paved area, therefore the variance was supportable.

 

The question on the main motion was then called.

CARRIED

(Councillor Herbert against the motion)

 

Development Variance Permit—1022 St. Patrick Street

 

Councillor Jensen declared a conflict of interest with regards to this item in that he received assistance for his municipal election campaign from the owner of 1022 St. Patrick Street.  Councillor Copley also declared a conflict of interest as 1022 St. Patrick is a neighbouring property to hers.  Councillor Jensen and Councillor Copley left the meeting at 9:07 p.m.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the following motion be lifted from the table:

 

That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a development variance permit in respect to Lot 19, Block Z, Section 23, Victoria District, Plan 982 (1022 St. Patrick Street) that will vary the following sections of the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended, to permit renovations to the single family dwelling in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on November 7, 2005:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

6.5.4.(7) Distance Between Buildings

3.0 metres

0 metres

3.0 metres

6.5.4.(2).(a) Front Lot Line Setback

7.62 metres

7.21 metres

0.41 metres

6.5.4.(11) Second Storey Interior Side Lot Line Setback

3.0 metres

1.86 metres

1.14 metres

 

The question on the main motion was then called.

CARRIED

 

Councillors Jensen and Copley returned to the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Council approve the attendance of Councillor Braithwaite and Councillor Copley at the Local Government Decision-Making for Newly Elected Officials Seminar from January 25 to 27, 2005, and the payment of expenses necessarily incurred by them.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the following Heritage Foundation appointments be confirmed for one-year terms commencing January 1, 2006:

Mayor Christopher Causton, Judith Anderson, Jane Nielson, John Harker,

Hugh Aitken, Patricia Wilson, Jean Sparks, and Don Reksten

CARRIED

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Final Adoption

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4296, Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4300, Financial Plan Bylaw, 2005 Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the open portion of the meeting of Council be adjourned and that a closed session be convened to discuss personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the Municipality or another position appointed by the Municipality.

 

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

 

Certified Correct

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Mayor