An omnibus zoning bylaw has been sent back for revisions after ten downtown lots were identified to potentially allow large developments or significant upzoning without further public notification and input.
Victoria city council cancelled a public hearing before considering the final draft of Zoning Bylaw 2017 Thursday (Dec. 14) evening after receiving a letter from the Downtown Residents Association (DRA). Had the bylaw been approved without amendments, eight lots along Quadra Street between Yates Street and Pandora Avenue, would have been up-zoned from a 1.5:1 to 3:1 density. The DRA previously identified two large properties between Herald, Fisgard and Store streets that could be amalgamated and developed without needing further approval, issues that were identified and discussed at committee of the whole the previous week.
Ian Sutherland, chair of the land use committee for the DRA, said heB次元官网网址檚 concerned public awareness and oversight could be lost in the process of simplifying the cityB次元官网网址檚 zoning bylaws.
B次元官网网址淩ezoning your property is not a right,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚n order to get your property rezoned, you have to show itB次元官网网址檚 in the public good to do it, and that you might want to provide some amenities B次元官网网址� because your propertyB次元官网网址檚 increasing in value.
B次元官网网址淚f a property requires rezoning today to build a condo, it should still require rezoning after this bylaw.B次元官网网址�
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Sutherland noted he found those properties relatively quickly, and wondered why City, who has been working on the project for two years, did not flag these problems.
Mayor Lisa Helps said council sent staff back to study the DRAB次元官网网址檚 letter after counsellors received the latest letter the day of the hearing.
B次元官网网址淭he intention of the zoning bylaw is to make it simpler and easier, but itB次元官网网址檚 not meant to give any more density to property owners,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檝e asked our staff to do is to take one more look through based on the feedback from the DRA.
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Although staff will review the letter, she noted that not everything the public asks for or says will make it into the bylaw.
B次元官网网址淭he key promise to the public is there is no upzoning of any land, any additional density, and we want to make sure the bylaw we bring forward reflects that,B次元官网网址� she said.
The DRA, James Bay Neighbourhood Association, and Rockland Association previously sent letters to council and provided noting concerns about the bylaw, including unintentional upzoning, impact on parking requirements, and allowing micro suites.
homogenizes upwards of 80 different zone types in downtown Victoria into three general types. It further includes changes to off-street parking requirements; creates definitions and regulations of brew pubs, distilleries, wineries and drinking establishments; and removes both light industrial and short-term rentals from acceptable land use.
