MINUTES of a regular meeting of COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 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, January 7, 2008 following the special meeting of Council at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. M. Causton, Chairman

Councillor H. Braithwaite

Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor S. F. B. Carson 

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

 

Mayor Causton called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.

 

RECREATION SECTION: (Chairman – Councillor Carson)

 

1.

2008-2

OAK BAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, December 5, 2007

Re Minutes of the Meeting

 

(Stephen Gorman, Chairman, Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission, in attendance for this item.)

 

Parks and Recreation Commission Structure – School Board Representation

 

Councillor Carson drew attention to the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission’s discussion with respect to having continued representation from the School District No. 61 Board of Trustees on the Parks and Recreation Commission, noting that in the past there was a joint benefit in having a representative linking the Municipality and the School Board for that purpose (i.e. field maintenance, tennis bubble and facility use).   However, in recent years, the School Board representative may have attended one Commission meeting a year, and therefore, Councillor Carson said that the Commission would like to request that Council consider amending the Bylaw to permit the School Board representative to be replaced with a member of the Oak Bay community to be appointed to Commission. 

 

It was further noted that Tom Ferris, Chairman of the School Board, when contacted said the Board was in agreement that it was no longer necessary to have a School Board representative on the Parks and Recreation Commission, however, a representative would still likely attend any meetings of specific interest to the Board.

 

Financial Statements

 

Mr. Gorman answered questions from a member of the Committee regarding the financial statements with respect to the aquatics and fitness sections noting that the budget is on target overall.

 

 

 

Fireman’s Park Field Renovation – 2008 British Columbia Little League Provincial Championship Tournament

 

Mayor Causton noted that he had received word that the 2008 British Columbia Little League Provincial Championship Tournament was awarded to Oak Bay Baseball and Softball Association (OBBSA).  In response, Mr. Gorman said it is great news and that Fireman’s Park has been long overdue to receive field improvements. 

 

As a reminder of the funding in place to renovate the lower field, in association with the anticipated tournament, the Municipal Administrator said that the estimated cost for improvements to the lower field was $70,000, of which $38,000 was to be spent from the field improvement fund and the additional $30,000 was to be included in the 2008 provisional budget for the required upgrades, in place of the annual $30,000 contribution to the field reserve fund.   

 

Stephen Gorman added that the OBBSA would be funding the necessary improvements to the dugouts and spectator stands and has planned to fundraise to cover those costs. 

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That the minutes of the meeting of the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission held on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, and the recommendations contained therein, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

Fireman’s Park Parking Lot – Resurfacing

 

Mayor Causton said he would like to see the Fireman’s Park parking lot improved in conjunction with the field renovations being done for the 2008 British Columbia Little League Provincial Championship Tournament this summer.

 

MOVED by Councillor Jensen

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That staff be requested to prepare a cost estimate to resurface and reline the Fireman’s Park parking lot for consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

 

CARRIED

 

LAND USE SECTION: (Chairman – Councillor Cassidy)

 

2.

     --

 

2007-297

2007-297-1

EXCERPT FROM REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, November 5, 2007

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, October 30, 2007

EVELYN HAMBLEY, [Undated]

Re  574 Island Road:

      1)  Development Variance Permit Application

      2)  Request to Undertake Work on Trees Protected by Restrictive

           Covenant

 

Councillor Cassidy noted that at its November 5, 2007 meeting the Committee deferred the development variance permit application and the request to undertake work on trees protected by a restrictive covenant as questions arose regarding the application and it was thought it would be helpful if the Designer could respond.  Since that time, he said, the homeowner arranged a site visit for the members to meet with the architect regarding the project.    

 

Mark Hambley, 574 Island Road, explained that once the architect had staked out the proposed development, it appeared to be too large and therefore, Dr. Hambley said he would like to submit a revised plan that will scale down the area of the paved patio currently proposed.

 

It was suggested that Dr. Hambley provide his revised development plan to the Director of Building and Planning as soon as possible in order to be placed on the next Council agenda for consideration.

 

Due to the recent high winds, Dr. Hambley said he is anxious to carry out the work on the trees that are protected by a restrictive covenant and asked if this matter could be dealt with on its own should the development variance permit application be delayed.

 

The Committee members were in agreement to permit Dr. Hambley to undertake the work on the protected trees as laid out in the correspondence items.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That pursuant to the restrictive covenant registered against the property, approval be given to carry out the requested tree work at 574 Island Road, as outlined in the correspondence item no. 2007-297-1, subject to compliance with the Tree Protection Bylaw.

 

CARRIED

 

A member of the Committee drew attention to the proposed outdoor fireplaces included in the proposed plans and asked staff to clarify whether or not they are permitted.  The Director of Building and Planning confirmed that strictly speaking propane and natural gas fuelled fires are not allowed pursuant to the Fire Regulation Bylaw.  However, said Mr. Beattie, it may be that in practice the Bylaw has not been enforced with respect to the prohibition.

 

The question was raised regarding barbecues as well, and some members of Council indicated their surprise at the complete prohibition on outdoor fires, expressing support for possible changes to the regulations to permit natural gas/propane fires and barbecues. 

 

3.

2008-3

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, January 4, 2008

Re Uplands Building Permit Application – 3035 Lansdowne Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That it be recommended to Council that the proposed plans for renovations at 3035 Lansdowne Road be approved as to siting and architectural design.

 

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That the meeting of the Committee of the Whole be adjourned.

 

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

Certified Correct:

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Chairman, Recreation Section

 

 

 

Chairman, Land Use Section