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, March 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor C. Causton, Chairman

Councillor H. Braithwaite

Councillor S. F. B. Carson

 Councillor A. R. Cassidy

Councillor P. Copley

Councillor J. D. Herbert

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

Design Engineer, R. Ding

 

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

 

RECREATION SECTION: (Chairman- Councillor Carson)

 

1.

2008-74

OAK BAY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, March 5, 2008

Re Minutes of the Meeting

 

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

 

Financial Statements

 

Stephen Gorman and Agnes Szilos responded to various questions from members of the Committee with regard to the financial statements.

 

Fireman’s Park

 

In response to Mayor Causton’s inquiry on the status of the Fireman’s Park upgrades, Ms. Szilos said the project is on schedule and is anticipated to be completed the first week of April.

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the minutes of the meeting of the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Commission held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, and the recommendations contained therein, with the exception of the recommendations pertaining to the 2008  operating budget and capital requests, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

2008 Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Budget

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the Oak Bay Parks and Recreation 2008 proposed operating budget and capital requests be referred to Estimates Committee.

 

CARRIED

 

FINANCE SECTION: (Chairman – Councillor Braithwaite)

 

2.

2008-75

MUNICIPAL TREASURER, February 29, 2008

Re February Monthly Financial Report

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Cassidy, That the February monthly financial reports be received.

 

CARRIED

 

PUBLIC WORKS SECTION: (Chairman – Councillor Herbert)

 

3.

2008-76

2008-76-1

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING SERVICES, March 11, 2008

ALIX FREIBERGER, February 21, 2008

Re Traffic Concerns - Mountjoy Avenue

 

Councillor Herbert noted that staff was asked to report back to Committee of the Whole with two traffic calming alternatives for Mountjoy Avenue, one involving the use of speed humps alone, and another featuring a combination of speed humps and one or more chicanes, with costs estimates for both options, drawing attention to the memorandum form the Director of Engineering Services on these options.

 

Responding to questions, the Municipal Administrator noted that depending on Council’s funding priorities, the Mountjoy Avenue traffic concerns could possibly be funded through the traffic calming budget, which is currently non-committed.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the proposed Option 1 (speed humps on Mountjoy Avenue), as outlined in correspondence item no. 2008-76, being a memorandum from the Director of Engineering Services, at an estimated cost of $14,881, be referred to Estimates Committee.

 

The Design Engineer responded to various questions and suggestions from Mayor Causton with respect to other potential measures, such as signage options, that might be considered to address the traffic safety concerns.  

 

Alix Freiberger, 723 Mountjoy Avenue, said that the neighbours are in support of the proposed speed humps, realizing that speed hump notification signs would be required, and she said that any efforts made to address safety concerns along Mountjoy Avenue would be welcomed.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

4.

2008-77

 

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING SERVICES, March 11, 2008

Re St. Ann Street and Cranmore Road Intersection

 

Councillor Herbert noted that at its December 10, 2007 meeting, Committee of the Whole requested that staff prepare a report on the possibility and cost of installing pedestrian islands at the intersection of St. Ann Street and Cranmore Road, which was in addition to the signage that was to be erected and the trimming of vegetation that was to occur in response to concerns raised at that time.

 

Gerianne Knowles-Robson, 1767 St. Ann Street, drew attention to the unusual type and number of incidents that happen in and around the intersection, and noted that although the foliage had  been cut back, visibility for motorists continues to be impaired.

 

Ms. Knowles-Robson suggested that reducing the speed limit to 40 kilometres per hour, as it is on Hampshire Road, would be more appropriate given the history of this section of the road.  As well, she said that a four-way stop or a traffic circle would be a welcomed improvement to the intersection.

 

After reviewing the two options submitted in the report from the Director of Engineering Services, one for pedestrian islands and one for curb extensions, concern was expressed by members of the Committee regarding the high cost of the proposals and it was suggested that perhaps a four-way stop should be given consideration.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That staff be requested to prepare a report on creating a four-way stop at the intersection of St. Ann Street and Cranmore Road, for consideration by Committee of the Whole.

 

Responding to questions from the Committee regarding the effect a four-way stop option might have on emergency vehicles on their routes through the intersection, staff advised that comment from the Fire and Police Departments could be included in the report in this regard, as could speed and volume data.

 

Following further discussion on the various options proposed to address the traffic and pedestrian safety concerns raised, a member of the Committee pointed out that a traffic pattern change, such as a four-way stop, has the potential to produce additional noise and air pollution (more vehicle stopping and starting), thus having an effect on the surrounding neighbours and the environment, which should also be taken into consideration when making a decision.

 

The question was then called.

 

CARRIED

 

5.

2008-78

2008-78-1

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING SERVICES, March 11, 2008

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, March 14, 2008

Re Fireman’s Park Parking Lot Resurfacing

 

It was noted that as requested by the Committee of the Whole at its January 7, 2008 meeting, the Director of Engineering Services prepared a cost estimate to resurface and reline the Fireman’s Park parking lot, which it was suggested be done in conjunction with the field upgrades that are currently underway.

 

After reviewing the report, the Committee said it would prefer to see more than two additional parking spaces created during the process and expense of resurfacing and relining the Fireman’s Park parking lot, querying whether the spaces can be reconfigured to increase the number of parking spaces.   

 

In response, the Design Engineer noted that only a cost estimate for resurfacing had been requested of staff, and that the proposed parking lot layout before the Committee follows the current Parking Bylaw standards set out by Council, and changes to the Bylaw would be required to permit smaller parking spaces to allow for more stalls.

 

The Municipal Administrator pointed out that any changes to the Bylaw would not happen prior to Estimates Committee, therefore, if the Committee wishes for consideration to be given to funding the proposed resurfacing in 2008, the project should be referred to Estimates Committee.

 

Some support for possibly considering changes to the parking standards at a later date, once the budget has been set and there has been a decision on the proposed resurfacing, was expressed.

 

MOVED by Councillor Cassidy

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That the proposed resurfacing of the Fireman’s Park parking lot, as described in correspondence item no. 2008-78, be referred to Estimates Committee.

 

CARRIED

 

LAND USE SECTION: (Chairman – Councillor Cassidy)

 

6.

2008-79

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, March 10, 2008

Re Uplands Building Permit Application – 3160 Uplands Road

 

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That it be recommended to Council that the plans to construct a shed at 3160 Uplands Road be approved as to siting and architectural design.

 

CARRIED

 

7.

2008-80

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, March 10, 2008

Re Uplands Building Permit Application – 3220 Weald Road

 

Dave Rannala, Rannala Building Contractors, was in attendance representing the homeowners, Brian and Katherine Canfield.  

 

During the on-site visit, members of the Committee noted the Garry Oak tree, referred to as #530 in the two Arborist’s reports, located close to the proposed new garage and parking location would need to be removed to accommodate the plans.

 

Concern was noted regarding the tree removal, and various solutions were discussed on ways to ensure the Garry Oak tree is saved and protected.  Some of the suggestions encompassed the angle of the garage being altered, moving the house east towards the front lot line or north of the currently proposed location.  However, the Director of Building and Planning said that moving the house any further north may encroach into the setbacks, requiring variances.  It was further noted that the neighbours to the north have indicated that they are opposed to the house being located closer to their home.

 

Responding to questions, Mr. Rannala said that the two car garage as proposed is needed by the owners, and that changing the siting of that portion of the building would require re-designing the house, which could compromise the Normand barn style of the home.

 

A member of the Committee, recalled that, in the past, in response to a similar situation, the applicant reconfigured the building foundation allowing the structure to ‘bridge’ over the Oak tree roots, thus saving the tree and keeping the building in its originally proposed location, suggesting this may be an option in this case.

 

Following further discussion, the Committee noted that it was not prepared to approve the siting of the house as proposed and requested that the applicant explore different options that would not require removal of the tree or that would not adversely affect the tree roots, noting that new plans would need to be submitted to Council in that regard.  It was confirmed that, due to an upcoming statutory holiday, the new plans would need to be received by Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

 

Mr. Rannala indicated he would give the matter some thought, and submit any new plans that might address the concerns about the Garry Oak tree.

 

8.

2008-81

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, March 10, 2008

Re Development Variance Permit Application – 2368 Epworth Street

 

Archie Willie, A. Willie Design, spoke on behalf of the homeowners, Reg and Anita Bawa, who whish to construct an addition onto the main and lower floors at the back of their house, requiring variances to the gross floor area maximum and to the front yard and second storey setbacks.  Mr. Willie noted that the existing basement is under-height and cannot be developed as it is, saying that the homeowners wish to stay in the neighbourhood and create a home to accommodate their family by adding a third bedroom and enlarging and opening up the living space floor plan. 

 

Following discussion, members of the Committee expressed the view that the request for additional floor area is consistent with the rationale for the Bylaw change to allow such variances, which was to encourage owners to restore or renovate rather than demolishing and rebuilding homes in Oak Bay.

  

MOVED by Councillor Herbert

Seconded by Councillor Braithwaite, That a resolution authorizing the Director of Building and Planning to issue a development variance permit for 2368 Epworth Street, as outlined in correspondence item no. 2008-81, be prepared and brought forward to the next meeting of Council for consideration.

 

CARRIED

 

9.

2008-82

DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND PLANNING, March 12, 2008

Re Development Variance Permit Application – 2406 Hamiota Street

 

Rob and Dianna Logan, 2406 Hamiota Street, noted that they had been unaware that the recently erected pergola on their property required a development variance permit.

 

The pergola, said Mr. Logan, was built following a recent flooding of their basement that was caused by a sloping driveway and malfunctioning perimeter drains that have now been repaired.  As part of the solution, he said, they built the patio and pergola in the sloped driveway and use the second driveway to the left side of the house for parking instead.  In building the pergola, Mr. Logan acknowledged, they mistakenly infringed on the setback regulations. 

 

The view was expressed that the pergola is an attractive addition and warrants proceeding to the next stage of the application process.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Copley, That a resolution authorizing the Director of Building and Planning to issue a development variance permit for 2406 Hamiota Street, as outlined in correspondence item no. 2008-82, be prepared and brought forward to the next meeting of Council for consideration.

 

CARRIED

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Causton noted that in relation to discussions he and Councillor Herbert have had with a resident along Cedar Hill X Road regarding parking and safety issues with respect to the University of Victoria field used by dog walkers, he was recommending that parking be prohibited between the two driveways serving the residents’ property.

 

MOVED by Councillor Carson

Seconded by Councillor Herbert, That a Traffic Control Order to extend the yellow line on the curb between the two driveways situated on Cedar Hill X Road, that access 3600 Crestview Road, be brought forward to Council for consideration.

 

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED by Councillor Braithwaite

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

 

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

 

 

Certified Correct:

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

 

Chairman, Recreation Section

 

 

 

Chairman, Finance Section

 

 

 

 

Chairman, Public Works Section

 

 

 

Chairman, Land Use Section