A proposed small lot property subdivision in Qualicum Beach shows a trend toward smaller properties.
Helen Sims and John Larson spoke to Qualicum Beach town council March 14 on behalf of the owner, about rezoning 629 Maple Street.
The application would divide a large single family residential lot, which currently has one small house, into two 590 sq.m (6,350 sq.ft.), fee simple parcels.
The smaller lots requires a zoning change from Residential 1 to Small Lot Residential 1.
But Larson pointed out 590 sq.m is “a Qualicum Beach style of small lot.”
He gave the example that in Parksville ‘normal size’ lots start at 560 sq.m and ‘small lots’ start at 300 sq.m
“That makes us bigger than their single family residential and just about two times the size of their small lot residential,” adding that Sydney’s start at 255 sq.m.
“And this isn’t an anomaly… you can go on, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, Nanaimo, everywhere around us, the single family small lot parcel size is dramatically smaller than what we’re proposing.”
“This is an intelligent and responsible density for this site,” he said, adding that people, especially among Qualicum Beach’s older demographic, are wanting smaller lots which are easier to maintain and more environmentally friendly.
The property is just a block outside the higher density Village Neighbourhood, downtown area and surrounded by strata units and higher density properties.
Council passed first reading of the amendment unanimously without much debate and agreed to enter a character covenant with the owner to quantify the promised environmental efficiency of the new homes.
