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 Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Councillor H. Braithwaite (Acting Mayor)

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

 

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

 

MINUTES OF MEETINGS:

 

Council – October 22, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, October 22, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Committee of the Whole November 5, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, November 5, 2007, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2007-300

2007-290

BISON PROPERTIES LTD., October 31, 2007

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, October 18, 2007

Re Request for Partial Refund of Development Permit Security – Oak Bay Beach Hotel (1175 Beach Drive)

 

It was noted that the development permit security on deposit with the Municipality for the redevelopment of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel was collected pursuant to the previous bylaw requirements in this regard, and that Council has since adopted a new bylaw.  Under the new bylaw, the calculation for a security deposit would result in a significantly lower amount than that collected previously, and the applicant for the Oak Bay Beach Hotel property is requesting a refund of the difference.

 

Kevin Walker, Bison Properties Ltd., responding to questions from Council regarding the direction and timeline of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel development, noted that Bison Properties Ltd. has been seeking a joint venture partnership for the hotel and hopes to have a decision on a partner by June. The project is anticipated to begin in June 2008 and be complete by May 2010, he said.

 

There was discussion regarding the need to keep more of the security on deposit than would be required if calculated under the new bylaw, and the Director of Building and Planning answered questions in this regard, noting that in his opinion, the security required under the new bylaw would still provide enough security to rectify any issues for which the security can be used.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That staff be authorized to recalculate the required development permit security deposit in relation to the redevelopment of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, at 1175 Beach Drive, based upon Bylaw No. 4382, and provide the appropriate refund amount.

 

CARRIED

 

2.

2007-301

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, November 7, 2007

Re Rezoning Application – 3096 Cadboro Bay Road

 

The Director of Building and Planning provided an overview of the applicants’ request to rezone their property from RS-4 to RS-5 in order to permit a two-lot subdivision application to proceed.  Mr. Beattie noted that the minimum required lot size for the current zoning would not allow for subdivision of the property, and therefore rezoning to RS-5 is being requested.  Mr. Beattie further noted that although rezoning to RS-5 would provide enough area to possibly create three lots, the homeowners only wish to create a two lot subdivision, and would be willing to register a covenant against the property to that effect.

 

Members of Council expressed some concern with respect to any precedent that might be set should the rezoning be proceeded with, and that it would potentially isolate this one lot as RS-5 amongst all the RS-4 zone properties in the block.

 

Lynne and John Limbert, 3096 Cadboro Bay Road, responded to questions from Council noting that through discussions with their neighbours it was possible that they could acquire from them enough property to increase the property size to meet the minimum required lot size for a two lot subdivision in the current RS-4 zone. 

 

The Municipal Administrator, also the Subdivision Approving Officer, commented that although he has not reviewed a proposed site plan for a possible subdivision, even if the minimum square footage requirements are met, a sensible lot configuration would still be required, and consideration would need to be given with respect to the subdivision’s potential impact on the neighbourhood, etc. 

 

John Higgins, 3084 Cadboro Bay Road, provided a description of the existing fence location between his and the applicant’s property noting that only a small portion of his property would need to be purchased to accommodate the reconfiguration of the proposed subdivision at 3096 Cadboro Bay Road. 

 

Responding further to questions, Mr. Beattie noted that additional land would also have to be obtained from the homeowners to the west of 2096 Cadboro Bay Road in order for there to be enough land to meet the minimum lot size requirement for subdivision in the RS-4 zone.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the rezoning application with respect to the 3096 Cadboro Bay Road be denied.

 

CARRIED

 

3.

2007-302

GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, October 18, 2007

Re Library 2008 Provisional Operating Budget

 

Referring to the correspondence received from the Greater Victoria Public Library Board Chairman, Councillor Copley provided an overview of the provisional operating budget and answered questions in that regard.

 

There was discussion regarding the provisional budget, and it was noted by a member of Council that a large part of the budget increase is attributable to the new Saanich Centennial branch, although the opening of the branch has been delayed due to the ongoing labour dispute.

 

The view was expressed that member municipalities should be presented with more than one option with respect to budget approval.  Noting that the proposed increase in municipal contributions is quite high, Council indicated that, prior to consideration of the budget for approval early in 2008, it would like to see what the implications with respect to the service level would be based upon a 3% increase in municipal contributions in place of the increase of 7.8% proposed by the Board.

 

A member of Council also drew attention to the comment in the budget notes to revenue that the carry forward of the previous year’s surplus into revenue for the following year is being phased out, which seems to be at variance with Section 5.9 of the Library Operating Agreement, and asked that this be clarified by the Board.

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the Greater Victoria Public Library Board be requested to provide an operating budget that incorporates a 3% increase in municipal contributions for review and further that the reference to the phasing out of carrying forward the previous year’s surplus into revenue for the following year be clarified in respect to Section 5.9 of the Operating Agreement. 

 

CARRIED

 

4.

2007-303

POLICE BOARD SECRETARY, October 29, 2007

Re 2008 Provisional Budget – Oak Bay Police Board

 

Responding to questions from a member of Council regarding the Board’s attention to reducing the Department’s carbon footprint, the Municipal Administrator/Police Board Secretary noted that although he could not specifically answer for the Board, he felt that environmental issues are recognized by the Board and that, although no new police vehicles are proposed to be purchased at this time, consideration is given whenever possible to the use of smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.

 

The point was made that measures beyond the choice for police vehicles could be considered.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the 2008 Police Board provisional budget be incorporated into an amended five year financial plan for the Municipality and referred to Estimates Committee.

CARRIED

 

5.

2007-304

MUNICIPAL CLERK, November 8, 2007

Re Sea of Lights Event

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the activities planned for Willows Beach in relation to the Sea of Lights event to be held December 7, 2007, including the lighting of a bonfire pursuant to Section 46 of the Fire Regulation Bylaw, be approved.

 

CARRIED

 

6.

2007-305

PACIFIC MOBILE DEPOTS LTD., October 22, 2007

Re Licence to Occupy a Portion of Carnarvon Park – Soft Plastics Recycling Depot

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That correspondence item no. 2007-305 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

7.

2007-306

2007-306-1

2007-306-2

2007-306-3

SHIRLEY HIBBERSON, October 26, 2007

DUANE BIRD, November 9, 2007

JEAN CHURCHILL, November 9, 2007

SCOTT AND CHRISTINA AITCHISON, November 9, 2007

Re Development Variance Permit – 880 Byng Street

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That correspondence items no. 2007-306 to 2007-306-3 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

8.

2007-269

LINDA AND ALAN THOMSON, October 7, 2007

Re Development Variance Permit – 2032 Esplanade

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That correspondence item no. 2007-269 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

9.

2007-307

2007-307-1

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, November 7, 2007

V. MACDONALD, et al, [Undated]

Re Proposed C-4 (Local Commercial / Neighbourhood Deli Use) Regulatory Changes

 

The Municipal Administrator drew attention to his memorandum summarizing the process in relation to the application from the owners of 677 St. Patrick Street to rezone their property to allow seating for up to 20 customers.  He advised that Bylaw No. 4386 was drafted to incorporate the requested amendments, along with other regulations, into the C-4 zone, to which 677 St. Patrick Street could be added.  The Demitasse, at 2164 McNeill Avenue, would also be affected by the changes to the C-4 zone, he said.

 

Mr. Cochrane noted that the owner of 2164 McNeill Avenue had, at the July Council meeting, observed that the rezoning application for de’lish seemed to be proceeding in the direction that would affect the zoning of Demitasse and had said she would like to see an increase in the current limit on the amount of floor area allowed for commercial use.  However, said Mr. Cochrane, the subject had not been explicitly addressed at the Council level for a decision in that regard, and was being raised now for discussion.  He further noted that the draft Bylaw, as it stands, does not incorporate the increase.

 

Following consideration of the issues at hand, the possibility of drafting a bylaw to allow for the creation of a site specific C-5 zone applicable to 677 St. Patrick was, as at previous meetings, raised once more.    

 

Although some members of Council felt that the similar issues of parking and traffic safety in and around 2164 McNeill Avenue and 677 St. Patrick, along with the core land use issues relative to both properties, warrants consideration of zoning regulations that would apply to both properties, it was the majority view of Council that the application from de’lish Fine Foods and Catering (677 St. Patrick Street) should be considered separately from the Demitasse Bakery Store (2164 McNeill Avenue).  The owners of 2164 McNeill Avenue, it was felt, could make their own application for rezoning if desired.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4386 and 4387 not be proceeded with in their current form and that staff be directed to redraft Bylaw No. 4386 to create a new site specific zone for 677 St. Patrick Street.

 

CARRIED

(Councillors Copley and Jensen against the motion)

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS/REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Proposed Anti-Idling Bylaw

 

Councillor Jensen expressed his interest in bringing forward at a future meeting a motion to implement an anti-idling bylaw. 

 

Councillor Jensen also noted that at some time in the future he would be proposing that Council request from staff its ideas and thoughts on ‘car sharing’ municipal fleet vehicles with the community.

 

Community Initiatives Committee

 

Councillor Herbert noted that the Committee will be approaching Parks and Recreation staff to discuss the idea of placing ‘walking distance’ signs for various destinations in and around the Municipality, noting that this initiative would require an amendment to the Sign Bylaw.

 

Councillor Herbert also noted that he may, in the future, be seeking support for the implementation of cycling safety training through the Parks and Recreation Department.

 

Parking – 2164 McNeill Avenue

 

In response to a question from a member of Council as to whether staff would be looking into parking in and around 2164 McNeill Avenue, the Municipal Administrator said that although the topic was discussed at a previous meeting, staff was not given direction to do so.  However, Mr. Cochrane said that staff could look at changes to the parking on private and public property in the vicinity, although direction with respect to funding any possible changes would have to be addressed.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That a staff report with respect to a possible reconfiguration of parking adjacent to 2164 McNeill Avenue and the possible installation of a sidewalk on Roslyn Road be brought forward to Committee of the Whole for consideration.

 

CARRIED

 

TABLED:

 

Development Variance Permit – 880 Byng Street

 

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 880 Byng Street (Lot 13, Section 22, Victoria District, Plan 1161), varying the following provisions of: (1) Bylaw No. 3531 (Zoning Bylaw, 1986), with respect to the siting of buildings, and (2) Bylaw No. 3540 (Parking Facilities Bylaw, 1986), with respect to the number and type of required on-site parking spaces:

 

 

Bylaw and Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

Zoning Bylaw

S. 6.5.4(2)(d)

Minimum Exterior Side Lot Line Setback, Accessory Building

 

3.65 m

 

0.61 m

 

3.04 m

 

 

 

 

Zoning Bylaw

S. 6.5.4(7)

Minimum Clear Space Between Buildings

 

3.00 m

 

0.61 m

 

2.39 m

 

 

 

 

Parking Facilities Bylaw

Sched. A, s. A.1(a)

Minimum On-Site Parking

2 spaces, incl. 1 in building

1 space

(none in building)

 

1 space (waive the “1 space in building” requirement)

 

to accommodate the elimination of the pre-existing in-building parking space, along with the construction of an accessory building, as shown on the sketch appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-283, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated October 10, 2007.

 

CARRIED

 

The question on the main motion was then called.

 

CARRIED

(Councillor Cassidy against the motion)

 

Development Variance Permit – 2032 Esplanade

 

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 2032 Esplanade (Lot 5, Section 61, Victoria District, Plan 3833), varying the following provisions of Bylaw No. 3531, being the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, with respect to the height and siting of a principal building:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(3)(a) and Schedule “B”

Maximum Building Height

 

7.07 m

 

7.35 m

 

0.28 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(3)(b) and Schedule “B”

Maximum Occupiable Height

 

4.42 m

 

4.88 m

 

0.46 m

 

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(3)(c) and Schedule “B”

Maximum Roof Height

 

8.84 m

 

9.02 m

 

0.18 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(2)(a)

Minimum Front Lot Line Setback

 

7.62 m

 

5.79 m

 

1.83 m

 

 

 

 

4.6.5(1)

Maximum Projection of Porch and Stairs

Into Required Front Lot Line Setback

 

 

1.2 m

 

 

4.57 m

 

 

3.37 m

 

to accommodate the construction of a new single family dwelling on the lot, as shown on the sketches appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-248, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated September 6,  2007.

 

CARRIED

 

It was noted that since the above motion was tabled on September 24, 2007, the applicants have revised their plans, which were considered by Committee of the Whole on November 5, 2007.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the tabled resolution for a development variance permit for 2032 Esplanade, based upon the plans attached to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-248, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated September 6,  2007, be withdrawn.

 

CARRIED

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Development Variance Permit (Revised) – 2032 Esplanade

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit with respect to 2032 Esplanade (Lot 5, Section 61, Victoria District, Plan 3833), varying the following provisions of Bylaw No. 3531, being the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, with respect to the height and siting of a principal building:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(3)(a) and Schedule “B”

Maximum Building Height

 

7.07 m

 

7.54 m

 

0.47 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(3)(b) and Schedule “B”

Maximum Occupiable Height

 

4.42 m

 

5.08 m

 

0.66 m

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(3)(c) and Schedule “B”

Maximum Roof Height

 

8.84 m

 

9.17 m

 

0.33 m

 

 

 

 

 

6.5.4(2)(a)

Minimum Front Lot Line Setback

 

7.62 m

 

5.79 m

 

1.83 m

 

 

 

 

4.6.5(1)

Maximum Projection of Porch and Stairs

Into Required Front Lot Line Setback

 

 

1.2 m

 

 

4.57 m

 

 

3.37 m

 

to accommodate the construction of a new single family dwelling on the lot, as shown on the sketches appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-295, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated October 19,  2007.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the motion in respect of the development variance permit for 2032 Esplanade be tabled to allow notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

Development Variance Permit – 520 Falkland Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Carson, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a development variance permit with respect to 520 Falkland Road (LOT A, SECTION 47, VICTORIA DISTRICT, PLAN VIP56674), which would vary the requirements of Bylaw No. 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as follows:

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

6.5.4.(7) Minimum Clear Space Between Buildings and Structures

3.0 metres

1.83 metres

1.17 metres

 

to accommodate the construction of a deck, as more particularly shown on the sketches appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-296, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated October 30, 2007.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the motion in respect of the development variance permit for 520 Falkland Road be tabled to allow notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

 

Licence to Occupy a Portion of Carnarvon Park – Soft Plastics Recycling Depot

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That, pursuant to Section 11.1 of the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, licence to occupy a portion of Carnarvon Park be granted to Pacific Mobile Depots Ltd. for the purpose of providing a soft plastics recycling depot on the following dates and at the following times:

 

January 26, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

February 23, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

March 22, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

April 26, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

May 24, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

June 28, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

July 26, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.;

August 23, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.;

September 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

October 25, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.;

November 22, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; and

December 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

 

CARRIED

 

Council thanked the Oak Green Committee for its part in organizing and running the soft plastics recycling depot.

 

BYLAWS: