Brief notes on what went on at the regualr District of Sooke council meeting on August 8, 2011.
Public Hearings
Two public hearing were held on Aug. 8 during the regular District of Sooke council meeting.
Council gave third reading to Bylaw No. 498, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (270-89) and Bylaw No. 499, 2139 Church Road Phased Development Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2011.
The zoning amendment will amend the zoning on the property at 2139 Church Road from Village Residential (R1) to Town Centre Residential (RS1).
The developers, Michael James Hallas and Lisa Anne Ebbs-Canavan, have no plans, as yet for the property but the 2,468 sq. metre property can accommodate a maximum of four lots. Duplexes would be allowed, with a maximum density of eight (two dwelling units per lot).
Gail Hall questioned the need for a phased development agreement (PDA) with so few dwelling units.
To clarify Evan Parliament, district CAO stated that PDAs were not employed to extract extra fees from developers but to ensure the developer gets the requested zoning and the municipality receives the amenities.
“It allows us to sit down and itemize what we want as amenities,” said Parliament. He said it is all legal and is the result of a court case in 2000 which set aside Comprehensive Development Agreements because they “fettered the decisions of future councils.”
They are used to protect and secure amenities from developers for a 10-year period.
Council gave third reading to another zoning amendment bylaw and phased development agreement for property located at 6553 Helgesen Road.
Bylaw No. 501, Zoning Amendment Bylaw (270-90) and Bylaw No. 502, 6553 Helgesen Road Phased Development Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2011.
The two hectare property would permit a density of 57 units with a minimum lot size of 350 sq. metres of 650 sq. metres if suites are permitted on the approx. five-acre property.
Municipal planner Gerard LeBlanc said the developers, Kenneth, Brenda and Frederick Rudd, were looking at developing 30-35 single-family lots.
ByLaws
Council agreed to recommended changes to draft Bylaw No. 480, Sign Regulation Bylaw, 2011.
All sections discussing sandwich boards, portable signs and way finding signs were reviewed. Planner Gerard LeBlanc stated that changes were made because of feedback from the community.
Sandwich boards will be allowed but they are to be restricted to 3 metres from the door of a business. Businesses located outside the town centre that has no existing signage should be permitted one sandwich board and/or portable sign no further than the closest street intersection with Hwy. 14. If a business decides to advertise their business on a way finding sign, then their third party sandwich sign or portable sign is no longer permitted. There are fees associated with sign permits which run from $20 to $200.
Coun. David Bennett brought up the issue of flying flags. In the bylaw only one flag is permitted to be flown. Bennett asked for a change to allow more than one flag and council granted this request.
Council amended Bylaw No. 502, 6553 Helgesen Road Phased Development Agreement Authorization Bylaw, 2011. The bylaw had received first and second reading on July 11. The amendment will delete the section 10.2 Surface Improvements No. 2 in the PDA which state that the applicant is to design and construct upgrades to Helgesen Road from the Church Road intersection to the development entrance. Rather than having to construct a concrete sidewalk and ornamental street lighting, the developer now has to paint a centre line on Helgesen Road to Church Road. There will, however, be a sidewalk in front of the development.
Al Fontes, manager of operations for the district, stated that “the number of units being built did not justify rebuilding Helgesen Road.”
Council introduced and gave first and second reading to Bylaw No. 504, 505 and scheduled a public hearing for 6826 Grant Road. Coun. Ron Dumont was opposed.
Dumont had an issue with the fact that council was not following its own rules in regard to infill/density in the town centre.
“We keep edging out of the town boundaries,” he said. “We keep doing it. We keep going further away, we’re never going to get a downtown if we keep doing this.”
The development will include 20 per cent affordable housing. The density will allow between 18-25 dwelling units.
Reports
Council approved the recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole.
Council endorsed the proposal to conduct a Fuel Management Demonstration Project in the Charters Creek area provided funding from a UBCM grant is obtained and approval is obtained from all stakeholders.
Council approved the amended Policy No. 8.4, Development Application Procedure Policy, 2011; council rescinded Policy No. 8.1, Agricultural Reserve Application Procedure Policy; Policy No. 8.2, Consultation Process Regarding Official Community Plan and Policy 8.3, Processing of ALR Applications.
Council agreed to forward the application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) with a recommendation to support the non-farm use proposed for 2249 Sooke River Road.
