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, May 12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton, Chairman

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

Confidential Secretary, K. Green

Director of Building and Planning, N. Beattie

Municipal Treasurer, P. A. Walker

Director of Engineering Services, D. Marshall

 

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

 

MINUTES:

 

Council – April 28, 2008

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, April 28, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Committee of the Whole May 5, 2008

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, May 5, 2008, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted, with the exception of the following recommendation:

 

“That it be recommended to Council that an encroachment for the existing parking pad on the Earn Street and Island Road boulevards adjacent to 630 Island Road be denied, and further, that the owners of 630 Island Road be required to remove the parking pad on Island Road and that they be advised that the District of Oak Bay reserves the right to remove the asphalt parking pad on Earn Street.”

 

Anti-Idling Bylaw

 

Mayor Causton drew attention to the recommendation that staff draft an anti-idling bylaw for consideration, noting that a regional anti-idling bylaw initiated by the Capital Regional District will soon be considered by the Board.

 

 

 

It was the consensus of Council to delay the drafting of an anti-idling bylaw and wait to see what unfolds at the regional level.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

Boulevard Encroachment Application – 630 Island Road

 

At the last meeting of Committee of the Whole, it was noted that as the full Committee was not in attendance, there would be an opportunity for Council to further discuss the recommendation to deny permission for the two parking pads when adoption of the minutes was considered.

 

Councillor Braithwaite provided a brief overview of what transpired at the last meeting, reiterating that there were varying views expressed by members of the Committee with respect to the use of public property for the two parking pads situated on the boulevard adjacent to 630 Island Road, with one being on Earn Street. 

 

While there was some concern expressed regarding the parking pads appearing to take over public property for private use, the majority view of Council was that the parking pad constructed on Island Road and the favourable improvements made to the property by the owners fit well with the area.

 

The question on the recommendation to deny permission for an encroachment was then called.

 

DEFEATED

(Mayor Causton, Councillors Braithwaite, Carson,

Cassidy, Copley, and Herbert against the motion)

 

Discussion turned to the asphalt pad off of Earn Street, which was not part of the original boulevard encroachment application and which was installed before the Bodnar’s ownership of the land.  It was the majority view of Council that the parking pad not be included in a boulevard encroachment agreement, but that an encroachment be approved with respect to the new parking pad adjacent to Island Road.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That permission be granted for an encroachment onto the Island Road boulevard adjacent to 630 Island Road in the form of an existing parking pad, as shown on the sketch attached to correspondence item no. 2008-130, subject to the owners entering into a boulevard encroachment agreement on terms set by the Municipality.

 

CARRIED

 (Councillor Jensen against the motion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2008-132

 

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, April 25, 2008

Re Greater Victoria Public Library Revised Operating Agreement

 

Don Hamilton, Trustee, Greater Victoria Public Library Board, was in attendance and answered various questions raised by members of Council with respect to the Revised Library Operating Agreement. 

 

Following lengthy discussion, a few items emerged that Council felt warranted further consideration at the Library Board level.

 

In particular, attention was drawn to the operating budget approval process, about which Council has expressed its views in the past, and it was noted that the Sub-Committee recommended no change to the current approval formula.  The marginalizing effect of the current formula for smaller municipalities was identified as a major issue and Council once again urged the use of an alternative model such as a two-tier system, whereby the approval of at least a majority of the member councils would be required for budget increases in excess of a specified threshold. 

 

Concerns were also raised regarding the proposed composition of the Board in the context of the requirements of the Library Act, and it was felt that further investigation should be undertaken in this regard to ensure that the revised Agreement is in keeping with those requirements.  In particular, Council noted the representation proposed for the City of Victoria would appear to be below the minimum required under Section 5(2) of the Library Act.

 

Council also felt that the wording of the portions of the Agreement dealing with the composition of the Board should not leave any room for argument about the appointment of elected officials as opposed to citizen representatives.  With the revised Agreement retaining the existing clause requiring that appointments “be as provided in the Library Act, Part 2,” it was noted that a case could be made that the one Board member appointed by each municipality other than Victoria or Saanich must be from the municipal council in each case.  If this is the intent, it was the view of Council that it might be more usefully spelled out in the document itself.  Similarly, it was noted that for Victoria and Saanich, it would be worthwhile for the Agreement to confirm that only one Board member appointed by each of these municipalities may be from the elected level.

 

With respect to the Central Library, Council pointed out what is seemingly a gap in the Agreement, and noted that it does not address the decision making process for any change to the Central Library, and it was suggested that perhaps that process should be set out in the Agreement as well.

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That correspondence item no. 2008-132 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

2.

2008-133

ADR EDUCATION, April 28, 2008

Re Facilitation Process – Regional Growth Strategy Amendment Bylaw No. 3443

 

As the representatives of the District of Oak Bay, Mayor Causton advised that he and the Municipal Administrator attended the initial consultation meeting and will continue to attend future meetings as part of the facilitation process to address the proposed Capital Regional District’s Regional Growth Strategy amendment bylaw, if that is Council’s wish.  

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That correspondence item no. 2008-133 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

3.

2008-134

RICK HANSEN WHEELS IN MOTION, [Undated]

Re Revised Request to Occupy Public Property for Fund Raising Event – June 8, 2008

 

It was noted that following approval of a request to occupy public property in association with the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event at the February 25, 2008 Council meeting, the event organizer is asking for a revision to its original permission to allow occupancy of the grassed boulevard adjacent to 2218 to 2276 Beach Drive to be used for the erection of display tents.   

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the revised request to occupy public property in relation to the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event, as detailed in correspondence item no. 2008-134, be approved, subject to all the requirements noted in the original approval given on February 25, 2008.

 

Laurene Clark, of the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event was in attendance and confirmed that equipment such as tents and bleachers would be delivered to the site the Thursday evening before the event and all the equipment would be removed on the Monday following the event.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

4.

2008-135

LINDA CAMPBELL, May 7, 2008

Re Development Variance Permit – 218 Beach Drive

 

Attention was drawn to the concerns raised in Ms. Campbell’s letter with respect to the safety of the intersection at Beach Drive and King George Terrace.

 

Responding to questions from Council the Director of Engineering Services noted that there does appear to be some impingement on sightlines in relation to the proposed arbor, but also noted that the plans to reduce two driveways to one is an improvement with respect to intersection safety.

 

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That correspondence item no. 2008-135 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS/REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Commercial Activity on Public Property – Sale and Distribution of Produce

 

Councillor Jensen advised that he and Councillor Copley recently met with the owners of City Harvest, an urban agriculture business that uses participating residential properties to grow organic produce, to discuss potential options for distribution of the locally grown produce. 

 

With the ever increasing climate change concerns, Councillor Jensen felt that an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw to facilitate the distribution of local produce on private property zoned for retail sales use should be explored, noting that at present the Bylaw does not permit sales outside a building.  

 

Councillor Copley noted that an item would be forthcoming to the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission at its May 14, 2008 meeting requesting that consideration be given to allowing a small ‘farmers’ market pilot project’ to be set up at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, suggesting such an endeavour could be workable in that location. 

 

Responding to questions, the Municipal Administrator confirmed that the Recreation Centre zoning would allow sales of produce already, but only inside the building, however it should be noted that the Municipality is prohibited from granting assistance to a business, and could not offer space for the market free of charge.  Mr. Cochrane further confirmed that there is already a mechanism in place to allow sales on public streets adjacent to business areas.

 

Following further discussion, it was agreed that Council would wait to see how the request is received at the upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.

 

Demolition / Deconstruction Application Requests

 

Councillor Cassidy expressed his concern about the number of homes, particularly older homes that are not necessarily designated as heritage, but of significant value aesthetically and characteristically to a neighbourhood, being slated for demolition or deconstruction.     

 

Councillor Cassidy said he would like to see further discussion come forward to explore ways to encourage restoration or renovation of older homes rather than homeowners demolishing and rebuilding homes, such as introducing tax or other incentives to entice homeowners to reconsider their decision to tear down a house. 

 

There was further discussion on the points raised, and it was noted that such a program would be quite complicated.  However, it was suggested that Councillor Cassidy discuss            the proposal further with Mayor Causton, Chair of the Heritage Committee.  

 

 

 

 

TABLED:

 

Development Variance Permit – 218 Beach Drive

 

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 with respect to 218 Beach Drive (Lot 5, Section 22, Victoria District, Plan 5604) that will vary the following provisions of Bylaw No. 3531, being the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

4.15.1

Maximum Area of Paved Surfacing

 

25% (47.5 sq m)

 

35% (66.3 sq m)

 

10% (18.8 sq m)

 

 

 

 

6.4.4. (2) (a)

Minimum Front Lot Line Setback

 

7.62 m

 

2.44 m

 

5.18 m

 

to accommodate a paved turnaround area in the front yard and the construction of an arbour, as shown on the plans attached to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2008-117, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated April 16, 2008.

 

CARRIED

 

With the question of traffic sightlines being impeded by the proposed arbour, as noted earlier, the Municipal Administrator responded to questions from Council noting that if the variance requested was to be reduced to accommodate any issues in this regard the resolution could be re-tabled to allow further discussion between staff and the applicant.    

 

In response, Dale Dziwenka, Waterform Design Inc., in attendance on behalf of the applicant, agreed it is a busy intersection and that he would be available to meet with Municipal staff to assess the proposed location of the arbour and the potential effect it may have with respect to sightlines at this corner property. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the motion in respect of the development variance permit for 218 Beach Drive be tabled once again to allow the applicant and staff time to review the sightlines in association with the proposed location of the arbour.

 

It was agreed that the Engineering staff would look further into the issues raised regarding the intersection and proposed arbour and report back to Council.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Development Variance Permit – 766 Oliver Street

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit with respect to 766 Oliver Street (Lot 21, Section 22, Victoria District, Plan 1092) that will vary the following provisions of Bylaw No. 3531, being the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as amended:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

6.5.4. (6) (a)

Gross Floor Area

360 sq m

444 sq m

84 sq m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4. (6) (a)

Gross Floor Area Higher than 0.8m Below Grade

 

240 sq m

 

444 sq m

 

204 sq m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4. (3) (b)

Maximum Occupiable Height

4.27 m

4.75 m

0.48 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4.(3) (a)

Maximum Building Height

6.83 m

6.90 m

0.07 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4. (2) (c)

Interior Side lot Line Setback

1.52 m

1.3 m

0.22 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4. (2) (e)

Total Side lot Line Setback

4.57 m

4.42 m

0.15 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4. (11)

Second Storey Interior Side lot Line Setback

 

3.0 m

 

2.44 m

 

0.56 m

 

to accommodate a main floor and new second storey addition to the single family dwelling, as shown on the plans attached to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2008-131, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated April 18, 2008.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the motion in respect of the development variance permit for 766 Oliver Street be tabled to allow notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Adoption

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4405, Financial Plan Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4406, Capital Works and Equipment Reserve Fund Appropriation Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4407, Fire Machinery and Equipment Depreciation Reserve Fund Appropriation Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4408, Heritage Reserve Fund Appropriation Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4409, Land Sale Reserve Fund Appropriation Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4410, Machinery and Equipment Depreciation Reserve Fund Appropriation Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4411, Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4412, Tax Rates Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Copley

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4413, Parking Facilities Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

(Councillor Herbert against the motion)

 

For First, Second, and Third Reading

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson                             

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4414, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson                             

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4414, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson                             

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4414, Mayor and Councillors Annual Indemnity Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, 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 is being considered for a position as an officer of the Municipality.

 

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:46 p.m.

 

 

Certified Correct:

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

Municipal Clerk

 

 

________________________________

Mayor