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, September 29, 2008 following a Public Hearing 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, R. Thomassen

Municipal Treasurer, P. A. Walker

Director of Engineering Services, D. Marshall

 

Mayor Causton called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

 

ADOPTION OF MINUTES:

 

Council – September 8, 2008

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, September 8, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Committee of the Whole September 15, 2008

 

Mayor Causton drew attention to page 2 of the Committee of the Whole minutes noting that the section regarding Juniper Hill Garden should read “welcome sign” rather than Salish monument”.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, September 15, 2008, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2008-237

ROBERTA AND DENNIS MCCARTHY, July 28, 2008

Re Request to Undertake Work on Trees Protected by Restrictive Covenant – 627 Island Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That pursuant to the restrictive covenant registered against the property, approval be given to carry out the requested tree work, as outlined in the memorandum from the Municipal Arborist, (attached to correspondence item no. 2008-237), at 627 Island Road, subject to compliance with the Tree Protection Bylaw.

 

CARRIED

 

2.

2008-238

PENINSULA RUNNERS ATHLETIC SOCIETY, September 4, 2008

Re Request for Temporary Road Closures for 2009 Oak Bay Half Marathon – May 24, 2009

 

Responding to a question from a Council member with respect to any issues with the event earlier this year, the Municipal Clerk noted that a complaint had been received regarding inadequate notice to residents of the road closures and that the organizer would be requested to notify all residents adjacent to the half marathon route if approved.  

 

Referring to the request to close Hampshire Road between Theatre Lane and Oak Bay Avenue for the pre and post race festivities, Michael Shewcuk, on behalf of Peninsula Runners Athletic Society, advised that in order for the Society to reduce its costs, it is requesting permission to occupy the property the night before the event, to enable the tent to be setup then, as there is a significant cost associated with having the tent delivered and set up early in the morning of the event.  

 

It was felt that while the closures for the half marathon route itself could be approved in principle at this point, input from the Police Department regarding the requested overnight closure of a portion of Hampshire Road should be sought prior to making a decision on that aspect of the application.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That permission be granted for the temporary road closures and occupancy of the same streets in Oak Bay used for the Half Marathon in 2008 and detailed in correspondence item no. 2008-238 for the staging of the 2009 Oak Bay Half Marathon on Sunday, May 24, 2009, with the exception of the overnight occupancy of the portion of Hampshire Road between Oak Bay Avenue and Theatre Lane, subject to the Event Organizer entering into a public property occupancy agreement in which it will among other standard requirements:

 

1)         release and indemnify the Municipality from any claims or liability associated with the event and providing evidence of public liability insurance in the amount of not less than $3,000,000;

2)         agree to pay all invoices from the Municipality for costs incurred in connection with the event;

3)         agree to obtain Oak Bay Police approval for a traffic plan and implement the same subject to any field instructions from the Police; and

4)         deliver written notice to all occupiers of property adjoining any roads to be closed for the event,

 

with the Municipal Clerk being authorized to execute such agreement on behalf of the District; and further, that the proposed Hampshire Road closure be referred to the Police Department for comment.

 

CARRIED

 

 

3.

2008- 239

OAK BAY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, September 24, 2008

Re Request for Approval of Plans for 2008 Oak Bay Christmas Festival

 

Heather Leary, Project Coordinator, Oak Bay Business Improvement Association (BIA), advised that the BIA is requesting permission to hold the same events as last year with the exception of the Fire Show.   Ms. Leary answered various questions from members of Council regarding the proposed upcoming 2008 Christmas Festival.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the temporary road closures, the occupancy of the closed roads and the front lawn of the Municipal Hall, and the various events planned, including the sales of goods and services pursuant to the requirements of the Streets and Traffic Bylaw in relation to the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association Christmas Festival as laid out in correspondence item no. 2008-239 be approved, subject to the Event Organizer entering into a public property occupancy agreement in which it will among other standard requirements:

 

1)      release and indemnify the Municipality from any claims or liability associated with the event and providing evidence of public liability insurance in the amount of not less than $3,000,000;

2)      agree to pay all invoices from the Municipality for costs incurred in connection with the event; and

3)      agree to obtain Oak Bay Police approval for a traffic plan and implement the same subject to any field instructions from the Police,

 

with the Municipal Clerk being authorized to execute such agreement on behalf of the District of Oak Bay; and further, that approval be given for the payment of staff overtime costs for the Business Improvement Association’s Christmas light up event on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

 

CARRIED

 

4.

2008-240

K & S MADSEN et al, [Undated]

Re Willows Park Scented Garden – Opposed to Removal of Foliage 

 

Councillor Herbert noted that the petition from residents resulted from their realization that foliage would be removed to accommodate the enabling scented garden at its proposed location in Willows Park. 

 

Following discussions the Community Initiatives Committee had with the Parks Department, said Councillor Herbert, it was agreed that the north east corner of Windsor Park would not require plantings to be moved and would be a viable alternative for the enabling scented garden. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That correspondence item no. 2008-240 be received, and the proposed new location for the Scented Garden be referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration.

 

CARRIED

 

5.

2008-241

CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT, September 19, 2008

Re Capital Regional District Traffic Safety Commission Establishment Bylaw No. 3558

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That consent be given to the adoption of the Capital Regional District Bylaw No. 3558, Traffic Safety Commission Establishment Bylaw No. 1, 1990, Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2008, in accordance with Section 801.4 of the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

6.

2008-242

POLICE BOARD SECRETARY, September 17, 2008

Re Proposed Contract with District of Saanich for Police Department Information Technology Support Services

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement between the District of Oak Bay and the District of Saanich, substantially as attached to the memorandum from the Oak Bay Police Board Secretary dated September 17, 2008, to add Information Technology Support Services to the package of services provided to the Oak Bay Police Department by the District of Saanich pursuant to the agreement dated January 1, 2007.

 

CARRIED

 

7.

2008-243

OAK BAY HERITAGE COMMITTEE, June 12, 2008

Re Minutes of Meeting

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the minutes of the Oak Bay Heritage Committee meeting held on June 12, 2008 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

8.

2008-244

 

OAK BAY GREEN COMMITTEE, September 12, 2008

Re Tree Protection Bylaw

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That correspondence item no. 2008-244 be received.

 

CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Heritage Building Preservation – Property Taxation Relief Incentives/ House Demolitions

 

Councillor Cassidy expressed, as he has in the past, his concern about the number of older homes that are not necessarily designated as heritage, but represent the significant fabric of the municipality, being slated for demolition or deconstruction.  Councillor Cassidy remarked that he would like to see a discussion at the Committee of the Whole or Council level to, through permissive tax exemptions, encourage restoration or renovation of older homes rather than homeowners demolishing and rebuilding homes.  

 

Councillor Cassidy suggested the framework for a heritage property tax exemption could be the provision of a ten year exemption to a maximum dollar amount of $30,000 over the ten years.  He further suggested that a trigger to lead to the possible exemption could be where a building permit application for renovations valued at 50% or more of the assessed value of a home is received, or where the property has some sort of heritage status.

 

In order to limit public financial exposure, said Councillor Cassidy, the number of properties receiving a tax exemption in any one year could be limited.

   

There was further discussion on the topic, and it was noted that input could be sought from the Heritage Committee and it was suggested that Councillor Cassidy prepare a paper outlining his ideas to be explored at the next Heritage Committee meeting to be held October 9, 2008, and that further consideration of the Council policy aspects of his proposal could occur after that time.

 

Union of British Columbia Municipalities – Seniors’ Outdoor Exercise Area

Mayor Causton announced that Oak Bay is one of 18 communities in British Columbia that will be receiving a grant from the Provincial government to establish a seniors or adult outdoor exercise circuit training area using special recreational equipment.   Mayor Causton said that the circuit will be located at Henderson Park.

Tinto Street – Parking Issue and Condition of Boulevard

 

Mayor Causton drew attention to damage to the strip of public boulevard along the south side of Tinto Street as a result of vehicles parking on the boulevard area, where parking is prohibited, when using the school’s sports fields.  It was noted that there has been repeated damage, and Mayor Causton suggested that the Municipality take action in this regard to prevent further damage from occurring in the future. 

 

There was discussion by Council members as to the appropriate course of action to take with respect to enforcement of the no-parking regulations.  It was suggested that once the strip of land has been reinstated it might be appropriate for staff to implement a physical barrier to parking on the south side of Tinto Street, such as placing rocks on the boulevard or planting trees to support the parking prohibition in the area.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That staff be directed to restore the boulevard and implement any physical barriers felt to be appropriate on the boulevard on the south side of Tinto Street to prevent unauthorized parking.

 

CARRIED

 

LiveSmart BC Green Cities Awards Program

 

Councillor Copley commented that during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference her attention was drawn to the LiveSmart BC Green Cities Awards noting that the criteria requirements to receive financial awards would have applied to many of the initiatives Oak Bay has already embarked on in its quest to make the environment greener and healthier, (i.e. trail systems, electric cars).  It was suggested by Councillor Copley that staff look into the series of categories that this awards program offers and take advantage of the funding available to local governments for any future green initiatives.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Development Variance Permit – 2181 Haultain Street

 

Councillor Cassidy declared a conflict inasmuch as he has had a business relationship with a member of the applicant’s family.  Councillor Cassidy left the meeting at 8:27 p.m.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit with respect to 2181 Haultain Street (Lots 1, 2, 3, Section 28, Victoria District, Plan 9860) that will vary the following provisions of Bylaw No. 3540 (Parking Facilities Bylaw, 1986), with respect to the number of required on-site parking spaces:

 

Parking Facilities Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

4.3.1 and Schedule A. 2

Minimum No. of Parking Spaces

5

0

5

 

to accommodate the creation of two additional residential rental suites within an unused space in the existing building as shown on the plans attached to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2008-235, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated September 10, 2008.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the motion in respect of the development variance permit for 2181 Haultain Street be tabled to allow notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

Councillor Cassidy returned to the meeting at 8:29 p.m.

 

BYLAWS:

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4430, Greater Victoria Public Library Operating Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

 CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4431, Streets and Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 3, 2008, be adopted.

 

 CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4432, Tree Protection Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2008, be adopted.

 

 CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor  Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4427, Oak Bay Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor  Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4427, Oak Bay Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor  Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4428, Eightieth Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2008, be read a third time.

 

Councillor Carson commented that in reviewing the correspondence with respect to allowing open air produce markets in Oak Bay, he noted that, although he is not opposed to the Bylaw, the public seemed to assume the produce being sold would be 100% local, but in fact this is not the case as the municipality’s zoning authority would not extend to specifying the origin of the produce proposed to be sold.  He added that most of the produce grown in the region is already consumed locally. 

 

Councillor Carson expressed his concern that allowing pocket markets on public property may be creating a disadvantage for existing grocery retailers, who should not be placed in situations where they were facing unfair competition from outdoor market operators with significantly lower overhead costs.

 

Discussion arose regarding the potential profit to be made from sales on public property and in that regard, the Municipal Administrator noted that consideration would have to be given to appropriate fees for the municipality to charge in cases where it is the landowner, to make it clear that the municipality is not assisting a business.

 

Members of Council reiterated their views expressed at previous meetings regarding their support for amending the Zoning Bylaw to allow outdoor produce markets.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4428, Eightieth Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2008, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4433, Property Tax Exemption Bylaw, 2008, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4433, Property Tax Exemption Bylaw, 2008, be read a second time.

 

The Municipal Administrator, responding to a question from a member of Council, noted that the Lawn Bowling Club has been considered tax exempt by BC Assessment for decades and that this would be formalized by Bylaw 4433.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor  Braithwaite, That  Bylaw No. 4433, Property Tax Exemption Bylaw, 2008, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4434, Rubbish and Weed Control Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4434, Rubbish and Weed Control Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4434, Rubbish and Weed Control Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2008, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4435, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4, 2008, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4435, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4, 2008, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4435, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 4, 2008, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That Bylaw No. 4437, Scout Hall Licence Authorization Bylaw, 2008, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4437, Scout Hall Licence Authorization Bylaw, 2008, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That Bylaw No. 4437, Scout Hall Licence Authorization Bylaw, 2008, be read a third time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4436, Eighty-First Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2008, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4436, Eighty-First Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2008, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That a public hearing on Bylaw No. 4436 be held at the Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, on October 27 2008, at 7:30 p.m., and that notice be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the open portion of the meeting of Council be adjourned and that a closed session be convened to discuss labour relations or employee negotiations.

CARRIED

 

The open portion of the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

 

Certified Correct:

 

 

 

_______________________________

Municipal Clerk

 

 

________________________________

Mayor