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, February 13, 2006.

 

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

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 – JANUARY 23, 2006

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, January 23, 2006, be adopted.

 

Drawing attention to the section in the minutes regarding CRD staff presenting further information on the costs associated with the Cross Connection Control Program, Mayor Causton noted that it has not yet been presented to the Board.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

Committee of the Whole – February 6, 2006

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, February 6, 2006, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2006-53

 

CHIEF CONSTABLE, January 25, 2006

Re Request for Early Budget Approval for Vehicle Computer Replacements

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert,

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That early spending approval be granted for the purchase of vehicle computer replacements at a cost of $35,000, as detailed in the memorandum from the Chief Constable dated January 25, 2006 (Item No. 2006-53).

 

CARRIED

 

2.

2006-54

DEPUTY TREASURER, January 31, 2006

Re Tender Award Recommendation—Side Loading Refuse Packer

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Tender No. PW09-2006 (for a side loading refuse packer) be awarded to Rollins Machinery Ltd at a cost of $222,234.10

CARRIED

 

3.

2006-55

GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA, February 7, 2006

Re Request to Sell Girl Guide Cookies on Oak Bay Avenue

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That permission be granted to the Girl Guides of Canada (Southern Vancouver Island Area) to conduct cookie sales on Oak Bay Avenue on April 8, 2006, from 9:30 am until 2:00 p.m.

CARRIED

 

4.

2006-56

2006-56-1

LINDA HOLMES, [undated]

TERRI PICARD, February 3, 2006

Re Request to Reduce Restrictions for Dogs on Willows Beach

 

Councillor Carson noted that a similar request, for McNeill Bay Beach, had been considered at a meeting of the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission where it was decided to not change the current regulations at that beach.   He said that an appropriate way to investigate this request would be to refer it to the Commission.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Item Nos. 2006-56 and 2006-56-1 be referred to the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission.

CARRIED

 

4.

2006-57

2006-57-1

2006-57-2

2006-57-3

2006-57-4

2006-57-5

2006-57-6

2006-57-7

2006-57-8

2006-57-9

2006-57-10

2006-57-11

2006-57-12

2006-57-13

2006-57-14

2006-57-15

2006-57-16

2006-57-17

2006-57-18

2006-57-19

2006-57-20

--

2006-40

2006-40-1

2006-40-2

2006-40-3

2006-40-4

2006-40-5

2006-40-6

2006-40-7

2006-40-8

2006-40-9

2006-40-10

2006-40-11

2006-40-12

2006-40-13

 

WALKER HOSPITALITY GROUP, February 7, 2006

CARMEN L. Z. GRESS, February 9, 2006

ANNE JACKSON, February 8, 2006

ELIZABETH AND HUGH TAYLOR, February 8, 2006

G. F. PEARCE, February 6, 2006

SARAH HENDERSON, February 6, 2006

DICK AND ELAINE KANTENBERGER, February 5, 2006

STAN DAVIS, February 4, 2006

MARGARET PALMER, February 3, 2006

ANTHONY AND CAROL ANN SHELTON, February 3, 2006

DONNA AND GORDON OLSON, February 1, 2006

JULIE AND LEIGHTON LOVITT, January 27, 2006

CLAYTON AND ISOBEL DOUGAN, January 25, 2006

ANTHONY AND CAROL ANN SHELTON, January 5, 2006

ROSEMARY SHORT, December 15, 2005

HINDA AVERY, December 6, 2005

WAYNE LYNCH, [undated]

HENRY E. MCCANDLESS, February 9, 2006

GEORGE WILLSON, February 10, 2006

HINDA AVERY, February 6, 2006

BISON PROPERTIES LTD., February 13, 2006

EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF COUNCIL, January 23, 2006

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, January 19, 2006

JEANETTE AND CLYDE WOOD, January 17, 2006

MICHAEL RADCLIFFE, January 16, 2006

DIANNE RADCLIFFE, January 16, 2006

JEANETTE MURRAY, January 12, 2006

SEAVIEW APARTMENTS LIMITED, December 1, 2005

R. NASH, November 22, 2005

M. R. WEISENBERGER, [undated]

MARCIA KINZIE, October 28, 2005

NONI PERRON, February 21, 2005

DOROTHY BISHOP, January 17, 2006

LAWRENCE AND GABRIELLE ANDRES, January 22, 2006

BILL AND SHARON JAMES, [undated]

JAMES AND WENDY STEVENSON, January 22, 2006

Re Oak Bay Beach Hotel (Bison Properties) – Application for

Rezoning/OCP Amendment /Discharge of Land Use Contract/ Development Permit

 

Kevin Walker, of Bison Properties Ltd., stated that he, Shawna Walker, also of Bison Properties Ltd., and his team of architect, designer, landscape architect, and accountant would be conducting the second half of the presentation to Council on the redevelopment of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel with the goal of earning Council’s confidence in the application.  Mr. Walker noted that they were in attendance to also answer any questions Council may have regarding the redevelopment proposal.

 

Shawna Walker stated that compared with the first proposal in the fall of 2003, the size of the hotel in the new proposal has been reduced significantly to respond to the input the received.  After conducting a public survey of the Oak Bay community on the proposal, she said, she found it was the overwhelming view that a hotel remain on the RS-3 residentially zoned site at 1175 Beach Drive.

 

Ms. Walker stated that, in response to comments and suggestions from the public, a proposed new design and drawings were done over the past year.  She noted that she and Mr. Walker have read all the comments in an ‘opinion book’ they provided to the public where the public is able to write their comments regarding the new hotel design and drawings.  Ms. Walker pointed out that one of the prevailing comments in the book was ‘to bring old pieces of the hotel into the new design’.

 

Appearing on behalf of the applicants to answer questions from Council at its previous meeting, Bas Smith, of Bas Smith Architects Inc., noted that there have been a total of 73 building permits issued for the Oak Bay Beach Hotel since the initial permit for its construction in 1927.  He went on to describe the more significant building permits issued.

 

In 1931, he said, the Hotel was rebuilt after it was demolished from a fire, and in 1954/1955 the Snug Pub was constructed at the Hotel. In 1975 the Hotel’s interior was remodeled, in 1978 an addition was constructed on the north side, in 1987 the Hotel’s offices were altered and in 1989 and 1997 the Hotel’s guest rooms were renovated, he said.

 

Addressing the issue of whether the building code at the time required seismic upgrading with the renovation of the south wing in the late 1980’s, Chris Peterson, of Peterson Structural Engineering, stated that there were serious deficiencies in the BC Building Code with respect to seismic building standards prior to 1992.

 

Speaking to the issue raised by Council regarding traffic on Satellite Street, Bas Smith showed the proposed layout of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel site noting that hotel guests may enter the parking lot, level P1, off of Beach Drive.  Delivery, garbage and recycle vehicles, he said, currently enter the hotel off Satellite Street and this would remain unchanged with the new design.  He said that it is planned to have the loading area enclosed which would reduce noise.

 

Mr. Smith presented a ‘Schedule of Floor Areas’ for the proposed hotel.  He said the total floor area of construction would be 140,107 square feet containing 120 guest rooms.  Mr. Smith presented statistical data relating to site area, site coverage, landscaped outdoor surface, and building heights. 

 

He explained that the hotel would be designed as a green building to meet the standards required to qualify as a 5 Green Key Hotel under the Hotel Associations of Canada’s Green Key Program.

 

Mr. Smith said that the footprint of the new Hotel would be similar to that of the existing except it would be shifted about eight metres to the east and would include a north wing.  He presented aerial photographs of the existing Hotel site and described the layout planned for the interior of the hotel.

 

Mr. Smith provided an overview of the proposed parking, noting that 196 parking stalls are being proposed and, he said, there are 75 existing stalls.

 

Mr. Smith pointed out that the overall approach to the architectural design of the existing hotel is board and stucco Tudor style, however, he noted, the new building is proposed to be much more elegant by using brick, stone, slate and metal windows.  The main entrance, he said, will be set up to be fairly formal with topiary decoration.

 

Brad Forth, of Forth Land Planning, appearing on behalf of the applicants, presented the proposed landscape plan of the new Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

 

The front courtyard, he said, will be in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood and the large Garry Oak trees on the property will be protected along Beach Drive where there will also be a flower border and water feature.  There will be a public walkway from Beach Drive through the property via various pathways that would lead to a gated gazebo.  Buses arriving to the hotel, he said, would temporarily park on a paved grass surface at the front of the property. 

 

On the north end of the ocean side of the building, said Mr. Forth, there will be a series of step-down rockeries with native specie plants which will create a habitat string, and on the Beach Drive side, he said, there will be a water wall feature. 

 

The garden residences will have roof top gardens of rosebushes and small accent trees and their own outdoor space.  A large lawn will be created for outdoor gatherings as will a series of garden pools and water features including a Japanese garden, similar to, he said, other properties along Beach Drive. 

 

Mr. Forth said that there will be a salt water swimming pool, and a lap pool.  Also, he said, a hot tub area and outdoor lounging terrace is planned which will look out to the ocean.  He said that there will be a new seawall treatment which will incorporate a warm pool and a walkway that leads out to a storm watching pavilion.

 

J. C. Scott, of J. C. Scott Design Associates, appearing on behalf of the applicants, noted that the current style was ‘Tudor Revival Heritage’. He listed the heritage conservation methods that would be used to preserve certain features of the current hotel while they are dismantled, such as the front entrance, the Snug Pub lighting fixture and the lobby fireplace, then reinstated in the new building.

 

Mr. Scott indicated that the new hotel would have the some of the characteristics of the Oak Bay village including a coffee and wine store and outdoor patio.  He noted that the proposed hotel would be a neighbourhood destination for Oak Bay residents.

 

Mr. Walker, in summary, assured Council of his team’s commitment to look into the myriad of comments received and to endeavor to respond to concerns of the public with respect to the proposed design.  He said that he would like to stress the importance that the hotel be a full-service facility.  A posture of openness with regards to feedback on the design will be maintained throughout the application process, he said, and three public forums, to discuss the proposal, have been scheduled in north, central and south Oak Bay.

 

Mayor Causton called a five minutes recess at 9:30 p.m.

 

Mr. Walker responded to questions from Council regarding the proposal, noting that the proposed design includes twenty strata hotel residences which would be whole ownership, and the potential for increased visitors to those residences was noted by a member of Council.

 

There was discussion regarding the proposed amount of parking and what is required under the Parking Facilities Bylaw, and the Municipal Administrator noted that there is not a standard for hotel parking in the Bylaw and that it would have to be developed.  The residential component of the Bylaw, he said, sets out that 2.25 parking spaces are required per dwelling.  As well, he said, parking would be required for the retail and service areas.

 

Mr. Smith noted that 90 – 95 % of the year, the Hotel is not at its full occupancy capacity, however, he said, if there are not enough parking spaces for staff and hotel guests, staff would arrange to have their vehicles parked elsewhere and guests could be bused in from another site.

Responding to a question from a member of Council regarding security for the proposed underground parking, Mr. Scott stated that it would be monitored, and during the day the door would remain open, while at night, it would be locked.

 

Responding to a question regarding the viability of the current proposal compared to the previous proposal, Mr. Smith said that 136 units were proposed then and 120 are proposed for 2006.  Ms. Walker noted that the current business plan allows for less units because there is a full-service component which would generate revenue to balance the shortfall in income from fewer hotel rooms.  Also, the new proposal eliminates one floor of parking as well as some food and beverage area, reducing costs.

 

There was discussion regarding a comparison of existing similar and financially viable hotels in Victoria with fewer rental rooms, and Mr. Walker noted that construction and development costs have risen significantly in the last year, so more units are required to off-set those costs.  Additionally, he said, the amenities provided may be significantly different from other hotel developments

 

It was the view of the Committee that many details of the application needed further evaluation and discussion.  Concerns were raised regarding the size of the building and its impact on the surrounding residents, and it was felt that further discussion at the Committee level would be appropriate.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Item Nos. 2006-57 to 2006-57-20 and 2006-40 to 2006-40-13 be received and that the application be referred to Committee of the Whole.

 

CARRIED

 

6.

2006-58

 

2006-58-1

 

--

CAPITAL REGION HOUSING CORPORATION,

     February 9, 2006

REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND COMMISSION,

     February 13, 2006

EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF COUNCIL, January 10, 2005

Re Request for Oak Bay’s Participation in the Regional Housing Trust Fund

 

Dean Fortin, Chair of the Regional Housing Trust Fund Commission, noted that the average price for a single family home in Greater Victoria is at a record high of approximately $550,000 which, he said, is a challenge for many people of middle and low incomes to afford.  In the Capital Region, he said, 22,000 households are in core housing need, spending more than 30% of their income on housing, and, he said, on any given night there are about 700 homeless people in Victoria.

 

The Regional Housing Trust Fund (RHTF), he said, is a key implementation initiative of the Regional Housing Affordability Strategy.  He noted that the Fund was established by the CRD Board in 2005 in recognition of housing affordability as a key regional priority. Currently, he said, there are six participating municipalities.

 

Henry Kamphof, Regional Housing Trust Fund Administrator, noted that if Oak Bay chose to participate by contributing $60,524, it would assist in generating an additional $900,000 of affordable housing capital funding, and if other districts participated, the CRD could have over one million dollars in the fund which could generate over $15 million worth of capital assets and produce approximately eighty units of additional affordable housing.

 

It was pointed out that the deadline for amending the CRD’s service establishment bylaw with respect to the RHTF could not be met, therefore, Oak Bay was being asked to support the Fund in 2006 through a contribution from the municipal budget versus being reflected in the CRD’s requisition.  The CRD’s Bylaw, it was noted, could be changed at a later date to include Oak Bay as a participating member in the service.  It was noted by a member of Council that Oak Bay could contribute any amount.

 

It was the view Council that the request merited further consideration at the Estimates Committee level, although varying views emerged with respect to the level of funding that might be supportable.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Item Nos. 2006-58 and 2006-58-1 be referred to Estimates Committee.

 

Council requested that financial statements of the Regional Housing Trust Fund be submitted for its consideration.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

7.

2006-59

 

OAK BAY HERITAGE STEERING COMMITTEE, January 12, 2006

Re Minutes of Meeting

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the Oak Bay Heritage Steering Committee meeting held on January 12, 2006 be received.

 

Councillor Copley indicated that she was pleased to see that the Director of Building and Planning will now be involved with the Heritage Steering Committee and she felt that the new heritage structure for Oak Bay was a positive one.  Councillor Copley commented on the availability of heritage workshops through Simon Fraser University, noting that staff may be interested in attending them.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

2006 Centennial Committee – Oral Report from Councillor Herbert

 

Councillor Herbert provided an update on the 2006 Centennial Committee’s on-going projects, noting that the Hockey Hall of Fame event would take place in the fall.  He noted that a reception for the children’s heritage art competition is being held on the evening of February 15th.   

 

Councillor Herbert said that the Committee wishes to acquire a town clock to be installed along Oak Bay Avenue, at a cost of $15,000, noting that he was seeking Council’s support for the capital expenditure.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized to execute a contract with It’s About Time Enterprises Inc. for the supply, delivery and assistance with the installation of a town clock approximately 3.4 metres in height and further, that the contract price of $15,500 plus all costs related to the installation be funded from the Centennial Committee budget.

CARRIED

 

Councillor Herbert noted that the Oak Bay Kiwanis Club would be installing legacy heritage signs on public property in Oak Bay, and that Council’s permission was once again being sought.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the installation of three heritage signs, funded by the Oak Bay Kiwanis Club, consisting of archival images and captions be approved for installation in the following locations:

 

§          south side of Oak Bay Avenue near the Monterey Library walkway

§          north side of Oak Bay Avenue at the corner of Hampshire Road (adjacent to the CIBC building); and

§          north side of Oak Bay Avenue at Wilmot Avenue;

 

and further that the signs, approximately 24 inches by 18 inches be affixed to a steel frame approximately 30 inches in height.

 

Mayor Causton noted that the signs would be similar to those found at the Butchart Gardens.

 

The question was then called.

CARRIED

 

REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Capital Regional District Arts Committee

 

Councillor Copley noted that the CRD Arts Committee is currently promoting ‘Arts in the City’ month.  She also noted that the Committee has approved grants totaling $51,000 to be awarded for various arts projects.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the meeting proceed beyond the 11 o’clock p.m. hour of adjournment fixed by the Procedure Bylaw.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

TABLED:

 

Development Variance Permit and Proposed Subdivision—1318 Transit Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

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 with respect to the proposed subdivision of Parcel A (DD 118746-I) of Lot 1, Block R, Section 23, Victoria District, Plan 368B (1318 Transit Road) which would vary the requirements of Section 6.4.4(2)(b) of Bylaw No. 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, and Section 8(1) of Bylaw No. 3578, Subdivision and Development Bylaw, 1987 to permit the existing principal building on the proposed Lot 1 to have a rear lot line setback of 6.0 metres, substantially as shown on the sketch plan of the proposed subdivision prepared by Powell & Associates, BC Land Surveyors, dated June 20, 2005 and attached to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2005-287, when and if the Approving Officer grants preliminary approval to the proposed subdivision, and upon the applicant satisfying all conditions of preliminary approval set out by the Approving Officer including but not limited to the payment of all required off-site servicing costs and the execution of a covenant in favour of the Municipality imposing the following restrictions:

 

·         municipal approval required for building design and siting, and driveway location, on the proposed Lot 2;

·         preservation of existing residence located on the proposed Lot 1;

·         preservation of existing rock wall on proposed Lots 1 and 2;

·         municipal approval required for removal of mature trees on the proposed Lot 2, and for the Giant Sequoia on the proposed Lot 1.

CARRIED

The question on the main motion was then called.

CARRIED

 

Development Variance Permit—3000 Rutland Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, 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 7, Block 11, Section 31, Victoria District Plan 1216A, Except Part in Plan 2713 (3000 Rutland Road) that will vary Bylaw 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, to permit the renovations of the single family dwelling on the land in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on January 16, 2006, as follows:

 

Bylaw Section

Permitted/

Required

Requested

Variance

6.2.4.(3).(c) & Schedule “B”

Maximum Roof Height

4.60 metres

5.83 metres

1.23 metres

6.2.4.(2).(c) & Schedule “C”

Minimum Interior Side Lot Line

4.57 metres

1.54 metres

3.03 metres

 

CARRIED

The question on the main motion was then called.

CARRIED

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Traffic Control Order No. 2006-02 (Two Hour Parking Restrictions on Foul Bay Road)

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That signs be erected adjacent to the curb on the east side of Foul Bay Road to indicate that parking in the area north of the bus zone adjacent to 2817 Foul Bay Road to the intersection with Allenby Street is restricted to two hours duration between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

CARRIED

 

Development Variance Permit—1370 Oliver Street

 

Councillor Jensen declared a conflict of interest with respect to the development variance permit application for 1370 Oliver Street in that he lives across the street from 1370 Oliver Street and is acquainted with the applicant on a personal level.  He left the meeting at 11:03 p.m.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy,

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit in respect to Lot B, Section 23, Victoria District, Plan 44952 (1370 Oliver Street) that will vary Bylaw 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, to permit the construction of a deck on the land in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on February 6, 2006 as follows:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

6.5.4.(2).(b)

Minimum Rear Yard Lot Line Setback

7.62 metres

 

2.07 metres

 

5.55 metres

 

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy,

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the resolution in respect to the Development Variance Permit for 1370 Oliver Street be tabled to enable notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

CARRIED

 

Councillor Jensen returned to the meeting at 11:05 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the open portion of the meeting of Council be adjourned and 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 11:06 p.m.

 

 

Certified Correct

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Mayor