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, July 25, 2005.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton

Councillor S. F. B. Carson

Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor J. D. Herbert

Councillor N. B. Jensen

Councillor C. Macey-Brown

STAFF:

Municipal Clerk, L. Hilton

Director of Building and Planning, N. Beattie

Municipal Engineer, S. G. Pitt

 

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

 

MINUTES OF MEETING:

 

Council – June 27 , 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the minutes of the meeting of Municipal Council held on Monday, June 27, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

Public Hearing – June 27 , 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the minutes of the public hearing of Municipal Council held on Monday, June 27, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

Special Council – July 18 , 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the minutes of the special meeting of Municipal Council held on Monday, July 18, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

Committee of the Whole – July 18, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the minutes of the meeting of Committee of the Whole, and the recommendations contained therein, held on Monday, July 18, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2005-212

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, June 7, 2005

Re Request for Approval of 2006-2010 Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement

 

(Glynn Jones, Treasurer-Controller, Greater Victoria Public Library, in attendance for this item.)

 

Councillor Jensen noted that he, as a member of the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, participated on the Board’s committee that was formed to review the Library Operating Agreement which expires at the end of 2005.  He provided an overview of the main changes being proposed to the agreement as laid out in the letter from the Board (communications item no. 2005-212), which would see the GVPL Board maintain a long term strategic plan, revisions to the provisions for admission of new members, and inclu­sion of a dispute resolution mechanism.

 

Councillor Jensen stated the KPMG LLP, chartered accountants, provided a governance review report that resulted in the proposed changes to the Library Operating Agreement.  Additional changes were proposed, he said, but those changes would require amendments to the Library Act.  The request for amendments to the Library Act, said Councillor Jensen, have been forwarded to the Province for consideration.

 

The point was raised that while the proposed amendments are supportable, the formula for GVPL budget approval remains the same, whereby approval must be given by municipalities which, together, were required to pay in the previous year more than half of the net operating cost of the Board.  Given that this formula gives budget approval to the two largest member munici­palities alone, it was felt that it is unsatisfactory.

 

Councillor Jensen advised that this issue has been raised and was looked at with KPMG, noting that some other members have similar views.  As to the sugges­tion that the Board consider a “two-thirds” consent formula, it was noted that this has been discussed, however it was decided against as it would give the largest municipality veto power.  He said that although the current formula may be imperfect, it is perhaps better than this other alternative.

 

Responding to the dissatisfaction about Oak Bay not having any input into the budget under the current approval formula, Councillor Jensen indicated that various scenarios had been investigated, however it was determined that there was no way to satisfy all the competing interests, and consequently there was no consensus by the Board to change the formula.

 

With respect to what effect small percentage changes to the budget approval formula might have on the overall budget approval process (i.e., requiring the approval of municipalities that, together, were required to pay in the previous year 55% or 60% of the net operating cost), Councillor Jensen indicated that detailed analysis of such scenarios was not done.

 

 

There was discussion regarding potential alternative Board models, such as a regional model, and Councillor Jensen pointed out some of the changes to the Board that would be associated with this, such as the exclusion of citizen representatives and the fact that the budget would be approved by the Board – comprised of elected officials – without direct municipal member input.

 

It was the majority view of Council that while the three main proposed changes to the Library Operating Agreement were supportable, the issue of budget approval needs to be addressed to the satisfaction of smaller member municipalities.  It was noted that an upcoming meeting of the Mayors of the member municipalities to discuss library issues may be an appropriate forum to discuss Council’s concerns regarding the budget approval process and possibly work towards an alternative.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That item no. 2005-212 be deferred.

CARRIED

 

2.

2005-213

MRS. EVELYN DOWMAN, July 8, 2005

Re Request for Waiver of 10% Penalty for Late Payment of Taxes

 

Referring to the background information included in Council’s agenda package, the Municipal Clerk said that Mrs. Evelyn Dowman is asking Council to make an application to the Minister of Community Services for the authority to waive the 10% penalty for late payment of property taxes, and that Council would need to determine if the facts of the case warranted an application to the Minister in this regard.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That, pursuant to Section 315.3 of the Local Govern­ment Act, an application be made to the Minister of Community Services for the authority to waive the 10% tax penalty for late payment of 2005 property taxes for 3065 Beach Drive.

 

It was acknowledged that the application before Council differs from a request for waiver of the penalty for late tax payment that was approved last year, as detailed in the back­ground information, and it was suggested that, given that the circumstances were less unusual than in the case considered in 2004, it would be difficult to distinguish between the various circumstances that might or might not warrant a request to the Minister in the future.

 

Concerns were raised that the case at hand appeared to be a banking customer service issue, and a member of Council queried where the bank’s responsibility lies with respect to the late payment of property taxes.

 

The view was expressed that further information with respect to the number of not suffi­cient fund (NSF) cheques typically received would be useful prior to making a final deci­sion on the application, and there was consensus that staff be requested to provide such details for consideration.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the resolution with respect to the application to the Minister of Community Services for waiver for penalty for late property tax payment for 3065 Beach Drive be tabled.

CARRIED

 

3.

2005-214

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR / SUBDIVISION APPROVING OFFICER, July 18, 2005

Re Rezoning Application – Lot Line Adjustment Between Former Uplands Elementary School and Uplands Golf Course

 

(Ian Barrodale, Treasurer, Uplands Golf Club, in attendance for this item.)

 

Councillor Carson indicated that inasmuch as he is a member of the Uplands Golf Club, he would be unable to participate in the discussion on this item, and left the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

 

Ian Barrodale indicated that the Uplands Golf Club has encroached on the School District property since 1921, when it was built, and had been unaware of that fact until advised two years ago by the School District that this was the case.

 

The Golf Club, said Mr. Barrodale, has agreed to purchase an approximately 18,000 square foot portion of the School District’s lands on which the Club encroaches.

 

It was noted that the lot line adjustment between the School District’s property and the Uplands Golf Club would first require a Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan amendment to bring that new portion of the Club’s property in line with the existing zoning and to change its designation from “Institutional” to “Recreational”.

 

With respect to considering its requirement, pursuant to the Local Government Act, to provide one or more opportunities it considers appropriate for consultation with persons, organization and authorities it considers will be affected by the proposed Official Community Plan amendment, it was felt that a notice in the newspaper would be appro­priate in this regard.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Macey-Brown, That a notice be placed in the newspaper advis­ing the public of the application for an Official Community Plan amendment, and of the opportunity to provide input either in writing or by attending Committee of the Whole meetings where the application will be considered.

CARRIED

 

There was agreement that the application be placed in front of Committee of the Whole, along with the draft bylaws, when it next meets in September.

 

Councillor Carson returned to the meeting at 8:32 p.m.

 

4.

2005-215

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, July 19, 2005

Re 2179 Beaverbrooke Place – Development Variance Permit Application

 

Attention was drawn to the application for a development variance permit to allow pavers to be installed in the front yard at 2179 Beaverbrooke Place due to the difficulty of maintaining the lawn as a result of shadowing from a large boulevard tree.

 

Responding to questions from Council, the Director of Building and Planning advised that the area proposed to be covered with pavers was not configured in such a way as to be used for parking vehicles.

 

It was pointed out by a member of Council that the proposed paving stones would not be visible from the street, and that the residents of Beaverbrooke Place have expressed their support for the appli­cation.

 

Colin Chadwick, 2179 Beaverbrooke Place, responding to questions from Council, indi­cated that he proposes to place the pavers in the raised area only.  He further indicated that rather than requiring 55% of the front yard to be paved, as originally requested, he has since determined that 45% of the paved surface would be adequate, and he was will­ing to amend his application to reflect that.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Director of Building and Planning be author­ized to issue a development variance permit with respect to Lot 12, Section 22, Victoria District, Plan 1136 (2179 Beaverbrooke Place) 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 45% of the front yard, in accordance with the plans attached to the memoran­dum from the Director of Building dated July 19, 2005.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the resolution in respect to the development vari­ance permit for 2179 Beaverbrooke Place be tabled to enable notice to be given in accor­dance with the Local Government Act.

CARRIED

 

5.

2005-216

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, July 19, 2005

Re 2067 Cadboro Bay Road (Coast Capital Building) – Development Variance Permit Application

 

(Tom Moore, Moore Paterson Architects Inc., and Rob Hunter, Devon Properties Ltd., in attendance for this item.)

 

Tom Moore provided an overview of the proposed renovation/expansion of the building at 2067 Cadboro Bay Road, as detailed in his letter to Council dated July 12, 2005.  He noted that due to the legally nonconforming nature of the building, three variances were being sought with respect to sign, building height, and parking requirements.

 

Mr. Moore drew attention to the request for a parking variance, noting that it is actually proposed to add six parking stalls to what currently exists, although no new tenants or staff are anticipated by the tenants of the building in connection with the expansion.

 

Rob Hunter, with respect to the requested parking variance and proposed increase in stalls, noted that at the current time there are no parking problems in the parking lot.

 

Mr. Moore and Mr. Hunter answered questions from Council with respect to various details of the proposed renovation/expansion.

 

While members of Council indicated that they did not have any major concerns with respect to the proposal at this point, it was felt that the plans should be referred to the Advisory Design Panel prior to giving further consideration to the requested variances.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the plans for the renovation/upgrade of 2067 Cadboro Bay Road be referred to the Advisory Design Panel for a recommendation to Council.

CARRIED

 

6.

2005-217

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, July 20, 2005

Re 1701 Beach Drive – Heritage Alteration Permit Application

 

Attention was drawn to the request from Glenlyon Norfolk School for a heritage altera­tion permit that would allow the replacement of a portion of the exterior wall of the coach house building on the site.

 

Responding to questions from Council, the Director of Building and Planning indicated that while the original application had envisioned vinyl window frames, the request had since been changed to reflect wood window frames, which would be more in keeping with the heritage significance of the building.

 

Given that the structure is a designated heritage site, it was the view of Council that the application should be referred to the Community Heritage Commission for a recommen­dation with respect to the proposed changes.

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the request for a heritage alteration permit for the Glenlyon Norfolk School coach house building to permit the replacement of a portion of an exterior wall be referred to the Community Heritage Commission for a recommenda­tion to Council.

CARRIED

 

7.

2005-218

OAK BAY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, July 20, 2005

Re Request for Permission for Partial Road Closure (Oak Bay Avenue and Hampshire Road) for Tour de Rock Fundraising Event – September 17, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Macey-Brown

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the request for closure of Hampshire Road between Oak Bay Avenue and the entrance to Athlone Court between 8 o’clock a.m. and 3:30 o’clock p.m., of Oak Bay Avenue between Elgin Road and Monterey Avenue between 9 o’clock a.m. and 12 o’clock noon, and Oak Bay Avenue between Wilmot Street and Monterey Avenue between 12 o’clock noon and 3 o’clock p.m., September 17, 2005, in connection with the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association’s Tour de Rock fundraising event be approved subject to

 

a)      the execution of a letter of undertaking setting out the terms and conditions under which the occupancy and road closure is permitted, and providing evidence of insurability in this regard;

b)      adherence with a traffic management plan approved by the Oak Bay Police Depart­ment; and

c)      assuming all responsibility for any and all extraordinary costs incurred by the Municipality in connection with the event.

CARRIED

 

8.

2005-219

2005-219-1

ANN AND IAN MACMILLAN, July 8, 2005

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, July 8, 2005

Re Proposed Purchase of Part of Maquinna Street Right of Way

 

It was noted that the owners of 24 Maquinna Street wish to purchase a 15 foot x 176 foot strip of the road right of way adjacent to their property, and that an earlier request for a boulevard encroachment agreement for that portion of the road right of way had been denied.

 

With respect to the increased development potential that would exist were the Municipal­ity to sell the requested portion of the road right of way, Ian MacMillan, 24 Maquinna Street, indicated that it is not his intention to expand the building on the lot.  Responding to a question from Council, Mr. MacMillan said that he would be willing to consider a covenant to restrict further building.  He also said that he did not intend to alter the topog­raphy of the portion of land he would like to purchase, but he would install plantings in much the same way as he had proposed in his earlier request to enter into a boulevard encroachment agreement with the Municipality.

 

Questions were raised regarding the properties to the east of 24 Maquinna Street, and potential access issues should the portion of the road right of way be sold to the MacMil­lans, and it was the view of Council that information in this regard should be provided prior to giving further consideration to the purchase request.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That staff be requested to provide further information with respect to right of access for the properties lying to the east of 24 Maquinna Street.

 

CARRIED

 

9.

2005-220

2005-220-1

--        --

MUNICIPAL ENGINEER, July 21, 2005

KEITH HILLS & GEORGINA MACDONALD, July 20, 2005

EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF MEETING OF

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, May 5, 1997

Re 1644 Monterey Avenue – Request for Boulevard Encroachment/Request to Purchase Portion of Lane Right of Way

 

Keith Hills, 1644 Monterey Avenue, indicated that he wished to purchase the portion of unused lane right of way adjacent to the rear of his property, up to the common fence shared with 1639 Hampshire Road, as laid out in correspondence item no. 2004-220, or receive permission for a boulevard encroachment to landscape the public property.

 

Attention was drawn to the fact that there are five other neighbouring properties that encroach into the unused lane right of way, and this should be taken into consideration prior to making a decision regarding the request to purchase.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That staff be asked to provide a report with respect to the request to purchase a portion of the lane right of way adjacent to 1644 Monterey Avenue.

CARRIED

 

10.

2005-221

MUNICIPAL ENGINEER, July 21, 2005

Re 1051 Beach Drive – Request for Boulevard Encroachment

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That approval be given for a boulevard encroachment at 1051 Beach Drive for the purpose of installing stone posts at the front of the property, subject to the owners entering into a boulevard encroachment agreement with the Municipality.

CARRIED

 

11.

2005-222

JANET KNIGHT, July 21, 2005

Re Request for Road Closure for Block Party (Wilmot Place) – September 10, 2005

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That permission be given for the closure of Wilmot Place on September 10, 2005, from 5:30 o’clock p.m. to 10 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of a neighbourhood block party.

CARRIED

 

12.

2005-223

DISTRICT OF METCHOSIN, July 8, 2005

Re Request for Extension - Regional Context Statement

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That, as requested by the District of Metchosin, a letter be sent to the Minister of Community Services in support of Metchosin’s application for a three month extension to the deadline for submitting its Regional Context Statement to the Capital Regional District.

CARRIED

 

13.

2005-224

DIANE MACRAE, July 18, 2005

Re Request for Installation of Dog Drinking Fountain at Windsor Park

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded to Councillor Carson, That item no. 2005-224 requesting the installation of a dog drinking fountain at Windsor Park be referred to the Windsor Park Pavilion Steering Committee and the Manager of Parks Services.

CARRIED

 


 

14.

2005-225

ENGAGEMENT RING PRODUCTIONS INC., July 18, 2005 

Re Request for Road Closure for Film Production

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the closure of Island Road between the entrance to Anderson Hill Park and Elkington Close be approved, subject to the prior approval of the requested dates by the Oak Bay Police Department.

 

There was discussion regarding the proposed road closure to accommodate a film production during the weeks of August 22 and August 29, and it was pointed out that the area in question is very sensitive with respect to its natural vegetation.  It was noted that in addi­tion to closing the road to traffic, the film company wished to have permission to park within the various “pull-outs” along Island Road.

 

Following further discussion, it was the majority view of Council that a road closure was not in the best interests of the residents and natural environment.  It was further noted that parking in the pull-outs along Island Road also was not supportable.

 

The question was then called.

DEFEATED

(Mayor Causton and Councillors Cassidy, Herbert and Macey-Brown

against the motion)

 

In light of the concerns raised by members of Council, Mayor Causton proposed to meet with the film company representative and municipal staff to relay Council’s concerns, and work towards an alternative to road closure and the parking of film vehicles along Island Road.

 

TABLED:

 

Development Variance Permit – 3055 Rutland Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, 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 21, Block B, Section 31, Victoria District, Plan 3560 (3055 Rutland Road) that will vary the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended, as follows, to permit renovations to the single family dwelling in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on June 20, 2005:

 

Bylaw Section

Permitted

Requested

Variance

6.2.4.(3)(a) & Schedule “C” Maximum Building Height

3.0 metres

5.1 metres

2.1 metres

6.2.4.(3)(c) & Schedule “C” Maximum Roof Height

4.6 metres

6.5 metres

1.9 metres

CARRIED

 


The question on the main motion was then called.

CARRIED

 

MOTIONS / RESOLUTIONS:

 

Attendance at 2005 Union of BC Municipalities Conference

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Council approve the attendance of Mayor Causton, and Councillors Cassidy, Herbert, Jensen, and Macey-Brown at the Union of BC Munici­pali­ties 2005 Convention in Vancouver, BC, from September 25-29, 2005, and the pay­ment of expenses necessarily incurred by them.

CARRIED

 

2008 BC Seniors Games

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Oak Bay Council endorse the joint Intermunicipal bid for the hosting of the BC Seniors Games in 2008, and that it support in principle the allocation of its share, not exceeding $9,000, of the local government portion of the funding for the event.

CARRIED

 

Development Permit – 2359 Beach Drive

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Director of Building and Planning be author­ized to issue a development permit in respect of Amended Lot 22 (DD 209210-I), block 14, Section 2, Victoria District, Plan 379 (2359 Beach Drive), amending development permit no. 2004-03 (authorized by Council resolution dated February 23, 2004), to allow the originally approved landscaping, signage, screening, and trellis work on the Beach Drive side of the property to be modified as shown in the plans attached to the memoran­dum from the Director of Building and Planning dated July 5, 2005, and reviewed by Committee of the Whole on July 18, 2005.

CARRIED

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Final Adoption

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4285, Land Development Tree Protec­tion Bylaw, 2005, be finally adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4286, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3, 2005, be finally adopted.

CARRIED

 


MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4287, Lease Authorization Bylaw, 2005, be finally adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4288, Financial Plan Bylaw, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2005, be finally adopted.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4289, Capital Works and Equipment Reserve Fund Appropriation Bylaw No. 2, 2005, be finally adopted.

CARRIED

 

For Introduction and First, Second and Third Readings

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4275, Guide Hall Licence Authoriza­tion Bylaw, 2005, be introduced and read a first time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4275, Guide Hall Licence Authoriza­tion Bylaw, 2005, be read a second time.

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4275, Guide Hall Licence Authoriza­tion Bylaw, 2005, be read a third time.

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the meeting be adjourned.

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at  10:26 p.m.

 

Certified Correct

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Mayor