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 24, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Councillor S. F. B. Carson (Acting Mayor)

Councillor H. Braithwaite

Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor P. Copley

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

 

MINUTES OF MEETINGS:

 

Council – September 10, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday, September 10, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

 

Committee of the Whole September 17, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, September 17, 2007, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

REPORTS OF MEETING:

 

Public Hearing – September 10, 2007

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the report of the Public Hearing held on Monday, September 10, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.

2007-252

2007-252-1

 

CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT, September 20, 2007

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, June 14, 2007

Re Kitchen Organic Waste Pilot Program

 

Anke Bergner, Solid Waste Planner, Capital Regional District, provided a power point presentation demonstrating the kitchen organic waste pilot program in Oak Bay.  It is anticipated a full report will be provided in October 2007, said Ms. Bergner.

 

At this time, Ms. Bergner said, the Capital Regional District Solid Waste Environmental Services Department is requesting that Council approve the extension of the pilot program in Oak Bay for up to one year, to enable the collection of even more information on the program.

 

Ms. Bergner indicated that with Oak Bay Council’s approval of the extension the Capital Regional District Solid Waste Environmental Services Department will submit a full report to the Capital Regional District Environmental Committee in October when it will be seeking 2008 funding approval for a one year extension of the pilot program. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That approval be given to extend, for up to one year, the Capital Regional District’s kitchen waste recycling pilot program, provided that such participation is at no additional cost to the District of Oak Bay. 

 

CARRIED

 

2.

2007-253

W. F. MOORE, August 27, 2007

Re Request to Undertake Work on Trees Protected by Restrictive Covenant – 578 Island Road

 

Bill Moore, 578 Island Road, was in attendance to answer any questions Council might have regarding his request to have work done on private trees on his property at 578 Island Road.

 

It was noted that although the requested tree work would normally be approved by permit under the Tree Protection Bylaw, in this circumstance, Council approval is required pursuant to the terms of the covenant in relation to this property.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That pursuant to the restrictive covenant registered against the property, approval be given to carry out the requested tree work, as outlined in the attached correspondence (item no. 2007-253), at 578 Island Road, subject to compliance with the Tree Protection Bylaw.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

3.

2007-254

PENINSULA RUNNERS, August 26, 2007

Re Request for Road Closures for 2008 Oak Bay Half Marathon

 

Dave Milne, Peninsula Runners, noted that although the event went well last year, the date has been moved so as not to fall on a long weekend in the hopes of encouraging more registrants.

 

Responding to a member of Council, Mr. Milne noted that the beneficiary of the fundraising event is the Help Fill a Dream Foundation, noting that $5,000 was presented to the Foundation following the 2007 event in May. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That permission be granted for the closure and occupancy of the same streets in Oak Bay used for the Half Marathon and Relay in 2007 and detailed in correspondence item no. 2007-254 for the staging of the 2008 Oak Bay KOOL Half Marathon on Sunday, May 18, 2008, subject to the following conditions:

 

1)         the event organizers indemnifying the Municipality from any liability in connection with the staging of the event; 

2)         approval of a traffic management and marshalling plan approved by the Oak            Bay Police Department;

3)         the event organizers assuming all responsibility for any and all extraordinary costs incurred by the Municipality in connection with the event; 

4)         sufficient notice being given by the event organizers to all property owners along the proposed route.

 

CARRIED

 

4.

2007-255

  - -

 

CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT, September 5, 2007

EXCERPT FROM COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, June 11,  2007

Re Pesticide Use Reduction Education Initiative – Request for Funding

 

It was noted that the Capital Regional District (CRD) is seeking funding for its Pesticide Use Reduction Education initiative.  The funding being requested from Oak Bay in support of the educational component of the initiative, confirmed staff, is $1,500.

 

While there were some concerns raised regarding the increasing number of grant-type funding requests coming from the Capital Regional District versus through the annual property tax requisition paid to the Capital Regional District from Oak Bay, as would normally be the case, it was the majority view of Council to consider the funding during 2008 budget deliberations.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That funding for the educational component of the Capital Regional District Pesticide Use Reduction Education campaign be included in the provisional budget for 2008.

 

It was suggested that inasmuch as there does seem to be a trend regarding funding requests from the Capital Regional District outside of the tax requisition, it may be desirable to ask Mayor Causton to address this issue with the Capital Regional District Board.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

(Councillor Cassidy against the motion)

 

5.

2007-256

2007-256-1

KIWANIS CLUB OF OAK BAY, September 20, 2007

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, September 20, 2007

Re Application for Permissive Tax Exemption – 2075 Milton Street (Kiwanis Manor)

 

Staff noted that it was recently brought to the Municipality’s attention that the entire property at 2075 Milton Street had been incorrectly identified by BC Assessment as being exempt, where in fact the only tax exemption should have applied to the building and the land it sits on, pursuant to Provincial Legislation.  An exemption for the remainder of the property would require Council to adopt a permissive tax exemption bylaw. 

 

Kiwanis Manor was made aware of this and has since submitted an application for a permissive tax exemption for the land surrounding the building.

 

Fred Cornborough, Past President, Oak Bay Kiwanis Housing Society, 2075 Milton Street, was in attendance to support his letter requesting a tax exemption for 2075 Milton Street. 

 

Mr. Cornborough expressed his concern for the residents, saying that the Kiwanis Manor is a reasonably economical home for 69 low income senior citizens to reside, and that it would be a hardship for the residents to absorb property tax costs.   

 

The Municipal Administrator drew attention to the fact that this is an unusual situation for Council in that the Municipality has never granted a “permissive” property tax exemption for a seniors’ housing development before, and pointed out some of the unique aspects of the Kiwanis Society’s application, as noted in his memorandum.  Mr. Cochrane also drew attention to the fact that there are a number of other properties which could make a similar application for a property tax exemption, which should be taken into account when considering this request, he said.  Should Council decide to grant a permissive exemption, said Mr. Cochrane, it is important that Council be able to draw a bona fide distinction between the Kiwanis Manor situation and others in the Municipality, if it is not prepared to grant exemptions to other senior’s housing developments. 

 

Prior to Council considering granting an exemption, staff was requested to prepare a report with respect to existing senior’s housing complexes and their associated taxes to be brought forward to either the next Committee of the Whole or Council meeting for review.

  

The Municipal Administrator noted the deadline of October 31st, 2007 for permissive property tax exemption bylaws to be adopted to apply to the 2008 taxation year.  Mr. Cochrane advised that, in order to accommodate the deadline, a draft bylaw would also be prepared and brought forward to the next meeting of Council, if the staff report does not come forward to Committee of the Whole prior to that, in the event Council wishes to move forward with the exemption.

 

MOVED by Councillor Copley

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That a staff report with respect to senior’s housing complexes and the associated taxes be brought forward to Committee of the Whole or Council for consideration.

 

CARRIED

 

6.

2007-257

2007-257-1

C. M. HOWARD, September 12, 2007

GARRY AND LYNN RAI, September 12, 2007

Re Proposed Heritage Revitalization Agreement Amendment –

825 Foul Bay Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That correspondence items no. 2007-257 and 2007-257-1 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

REPORT FROM CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT DIRECTOR:

 

It was noted that the Capital Regional District Board Alternates, Councillor Carson and Councillor Cassidy, each attended meetings that saw funding approval given for a major expansion to the Royal Jubilee Hospital.

 

NEW BUSINESS/REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Councillor Braithwaite said it was announced at the Oak Bay Child and Youth Committee meeting that Sgt. Rob Smith of the Oak Bay Police Department was honoured for his work as a school and community liaison officer for Oak Bay at the recent Annual Solicitor General Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards Ceremony.  

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That a vote of thanks be extended on behalf of Council to Sgt. Smith for his dedication as a school and community liaison officer for Oak Bay.

 

CARRIED

TABLED:

 

Development Variance Permit  1745 St. Ann 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 1745 St. Ann Street [LOT 1, SECTION 61, VICTORIA DISTRICT, PLAN 8902], which would vary the requirements of Bylaw No. 3531, Zoning Bylaw, 1986, as follows:

 

Bylaw Section

Permitted

Requested

Variance

6.4.4.(4) Maximum Lot Coverage

(Accessory Structures)

5%

13.38%

8.38%

 

to permit the construction of an in ground pool and patio area in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on September 4, 2007.

 

CARRIED

 

The question on the main motion was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

Development Variance Permit – 843 Newport Avenue

 

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 843 Newport Avenue [LOT A (DD ET51389), BLOCK 1, SECTION 73, VICTORIA DISTRICT, PLAN 992], 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

0.0 metres

3.0 metres

 

to permit the construction of a roofed gazebo, in accordance with the plans considered by Committee of the Whole on September 4, 2007.

 

CARRIED

 

The question on the main motion was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Development Variance Permit – 2808 Dunlevy Street

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to issue a Development Variance Permit with respect to 2808 Dunlevy Street (Lot 3, Block 42, Section 31, Victoria District, Plan 8777), varying the following provision of Bylaw No. 3531, being the Zoning Bylaw, 1986, with respect to the siting of an accessory building:

 

 

 

Bylaw Section

Required

Requested

Variance

 

 

 

 

6.2.4(2)(c) and Schedule “C”

Minimum Interior Side Lot Line Setback

 

3.00 m

 

1.02 m

 

1.98 m

 

to accommodate the construction of a gazebo in the north west corner of the lot, as more particularly shown on the sketches appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-244, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated September 11, 2007.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the motion in respect of the development variance permit for 2808 Dunlevy Street be tabled to allow notice to be given in accordance with the Local Government Act.

 

CARRIED

 

Development Variance Permit – 2032 Esplanade

 

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 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.

 

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, 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 Permit – 2067 Cadboro Bay Road

 

Councillor Braithwaite declared a conflict inasmuch as she is employed by Coast Capital Savings, the main tenant at 2067 Cadboro Bay Road, indicating that she would be unable to participate in discussion or vote on the matter.  Councillor Braithwaite left the meeting at 8:26 p.m.

 

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Director of Building and Planning be authorized to do all acts and things necessary to issue a Development Permit with respect to 2067 Cadboro Bay Road (Lot A, Section 28, Victoria District, Plan 28772) (the “Land”) to allow the modifications to the principal building and signage on the Land as shown on the plans appended to Committee of the Whole agenda item #2007-249, being a memorandum from the Director of Building and Planning dated September 10, 2007.

 

CARRIED

 

Councillor Braithwaite returned to the meeting at 8:27 p.m.

 

The British Columbia Climate Change Action Charter

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the District of Oak Bay sign on as a signatory local government to the British Columbia Action Charter between the Province of British Columbia, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and other signatory local governments, as described in a memorandum from UBCM dated September 6, 2007 and attached to the resolution printed for the purposes of the September 24, 2007 Council meeting.

 

CARRIED

 

December Meeting Schedule

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Council’s regular meeting schedule be suspended for the month of December 2007, and that the following schedule be substituted:

 

Committee of the Whole                      December 10, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m.

 

Council                                                December 17, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m.

 

CARRIED

 

BYLAWS:

 

For Adoption

 

Bylaw No. 4377

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4377 UVic Pumping Station Transfer Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Bylaw No. 4380

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4380, Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

For First and Second Reading

 

Bylaw No. 4378

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4378, Heritage Revitalization Agreement Amendment Authorization Bylaw, 2007, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

Reference was made to the letters considered earlier on the agenda with respect to the proposed Heritage Revitalization Agreement amendment, and it was noted that a Public Hearing would have to be held should Council move forward with the process, which would provide an opportunity for the writers to be heard. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That Bylaw No. 4378, Heritage Revitalization Agreement Amendment Authorization Bylaw, 2007, be read a second time.

 

CARRIED

 

Bylaw No. 4381

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That Bylaw No. 4381, Seventy-Fifth Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2007, be introduced and read a first time.

 

CARRIED

 

A member of Council noted the restriction of the agricultural use to 10% of the area of the parcel would be quite restrictive for smaller properties and would not allow enough agriculture area to accommodate an operation like City Harvest’s, and suggested the Bylaw be amended to remove that restriction.  

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That Bylaw No. 4381, Seventy-Fifth Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw, 2007 be amended in Section 3 (a) by deleting the words “or 10% of the area of the parcel, which ever is less”.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy          

Seconded by Councillor Jensen, That the motion be tabled until late October when a full complement of Council members are in attendance.  

 

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 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 8:43 p.m.

 

 

Certified Correct:

 

 

 

_______________________________

Municipal Clerk

 

 

_______________________________

Acting Mayor