REQUEST FOR DECISION
 
DATE:                       July 10, 2023                     Report No. DEV-23-037
TO:                       Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer 
FROM:                      Mikaila Montgomery, Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development 
SUBJECT:
 
Title
Development Permit and Development Variance Permit - 314 Uganda
End
 
RECOMMENDATION:
 
Recommendation
That Council approve Development Permit No. DP000208 and Development Variance Permit No. DVP00136 for a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit at 314 Uganda Avenue; and
 
That Council adopt Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2023, No. 3108. 
Body
 
RELEVANT POLICY:
 
Declaration of a Climate Emergency
Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 2922
Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050
Parking Bylaw, 1992, No. 2011
Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791
Advisory Planning Commission Bylaw, 2012, No. 2792
Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw, 1997, No. 2175
Local Government Act
 
 
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
 
Housing
 
 
BACKGROUND:
 
Appendix A: Aerial Map  
Appendix B: Development Permit DP000208
Appendix C: Development Variance Permit No. DVP00136
Appendix D: Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2023, No. 3108
Appendix E: Architectural drawings and landscape plan
Appendix F: Survey 
Appendix G: DPA questionnaires 
Appendix H: Engineering comments 
Appendix I: Flood hazard assessment 
Appendix J: Green building checklist 
Appendix K: Arborist report 
Appendix L: Staff presentation 
Appendix M: Applicant presentation
Appendix N: S. 219 Covenant  
 
PURPOSE OF APPLICATION:
 
The applicant is proposing to construct a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit in the rear yard of 314 Uganda Avenue [Lot 8, Block 3, Section 10, Esquimalt District, Plan 5484]. A variance to Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050, 40.1(11)(c)(v) is being sought so that the DADU may be constructed less than 2.5 meters from an accessory building (shed). 
 
A Development Permit is required to ensure that the application is consistent with the Development Permit Area guidelines contained within the OCP and is required prior to a building permit being issued.
 
CONTEXT:
 
Applicant: Nick Kardum
 
Owner: Steffen Schultz
 
Designer: Backyard Bungalows
 
Property Size: 910m²
 
OCP Land Use Designation:
Current: Single Family Residential
 
Proposed: Single Family DADU Residential
 
Zone: RD-4 Two Family DADU Residential
 
Existing Land Use: Low density residential
 
Proposed Land Use: Low density residential
 
Surrounding Land Uses:
North: Low density residential
 
South: Low density residential
 
East: Townhouse Residential
 
West: Low density residential
 
OCP ANALYSIS:
 
Development Permit Area No. 1 - Natural Environment
18.5.2 Natural Features - The DADU is located away from the rear property line to retain existing trees along the rear property line. The DADU is partially sunk into the natural ground to avoid retaining walls.
 
18.5.3 Biodiversity - No new landscaping is proposed. Existing trees to be retained and will not be impacted by service lines.
 
18.5.5 Drainage and erosion - The natural ground and approximately 2 ft. of gravel around the perimeter of the DADU from grade to the foundation is drainage rock.
 
18.5.7 Native Bird Biodiversity - Habitat will be preserved through tree retention.
 
Development Permit Area No. 2 - Protection of Development from Hazardous Conditions
 
The proposed DADU will not be directly impacted by a tsunami, as indicated in the flood hazard assessment report [Appendix I]. The construction materials will not leak toxic chemicals. No retaining or sea walls are required.
 
Development Permit Area No. 3 - Enhanced Design Control Residential
 
20.6.1 Relationship to existing houses - The design of the DADU fits in well with the neigbourhood.
 
20.6.2 Massing - The DADU is one storey.
 
20.6.3 Privacy, screening, shadowing - The DADU design and location with the natural topography and trees/vegetation has minimal impact on adjacent homes and achieves privacy for new residents and neighbours.
 
20.6.5 Private open/yard space - Outdoor space at grade is located behind the DADU with direct access from the dwelling.
 
Development Permit Area 7 - Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction 
 
24.5.1 Siting of buildings and structures - Priority has been given to preserving mature trees, reducing shading on neighbouring properties, and not impacting neighbouring trees. DADU design reduces shading on neighbouring properties. A LED-lit pathway connects the DADU with the street.
 
24.5.2 Form and exterior design of buildings and structures - The DADU will be built with an Energy Advisor review and to minimum Step Code 3. The roof is oriented for future use of solar panels. The DADU will have a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) for continuous mechanical ventilation. Operable windows are included in the design. Skylights provide natural light while promoting privacy.
 
24.5.4 Machinery, equipment and systems external to buildings and other structures - Low, downcast lighting will be used. The DADU has been modelled by an Energy Advisor and is more efficient than the average home as per the Energuide Ratings. A shed will be used for bike storage.
 
24.5.5 Special features - The DADU has a wood frame construction.
 
Development Permit Area No. 8 - Water Conservation
 
25.5.1 Building and Landscape Design - The DADU perimeter has 2 feet of gravel from grade to foundation. The site is absorbent and contains a mixtures of trees, shrubs and grass.
 
25.5.3 Retaining stormwater on site - The root zone around retained trees will be maintained and undisturbed.
 
ZONING ANALYSIS:
 
| 
 Category  | 
 Proposed  | 
 Permitted  | 
| 
 Floor Area Ratio  | 
 0.31  | 
 0.35  | 
| 
 DADU Floor Area  | 
 64.88m²  | 
 65m²  | 
| 
 Height  | 
 4m  | 
 4.2m  | 
| 
 Lot coverage  | 
 23.5%  | 
 30%  | 
| 
 Setbacks (rear)  | 
 4.56m  | 
 1.5m  | 
| 
 Setbacks (side)  | 
 1.65m (north) 3.85m (south)  | 
 4.5m total  | 
| 
 Building separation (house)  | 
 5.25m  | 
 2.5m  | 
| 
 Building separation (accessory)  | 
 1.2m  | 
 2.5m  | 
| 
 Outdoor space  | 
 79.56m²  | 
 20m²  | 
 
PARKING ANALYSIS:
According to Parking Bylaw 1992, No. 2011, one parking space per dwelling unit is required. The applicant is proposing to add one additional space by widening the existing driveway which complies with the requirement. 
 
COMMENTS FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS:
 
Community Safety Services (Building Inspection):
No concerns. Retaining walls and accessory structures may require a separate Building Permit. Subject to review for Building Code and Bylaw compliance at time of Building Permit Application.
 
Engineering Services:
See Appendix H.
 
Parks:
The Arborist report titled “Tree assessment and development report” prepared by Scotty Tree & Arborist Services on January 28, 2023 should be closely adhered to and all tree protection measures should be in place before any construction activity begins.
 
COMMENTS FROM ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION:
The Advisory Planning Commission recommends that the application for a Development Permit and Development Variance Permit be forwarded to Council with a recommendation to approve the proposal as it is a good fit for the neighbourhood. 
 
 
ISSUES:  
 
1.  Rationale for Selected Option
 
The proposed DADU will add housing options to the neighbourhood. The proposed variance has no impact on adjacent properties. The Advisory Planning Commission recommended approval of this development permit and development variance permit application. 
 
2.  Organizational Implications
 
This request for decision has no organizational implications.
 
3.  Financial Implications
 
This request for decision has no financial implications.
 
4.  Sustainability & Environmental Implications
 
The applicant has completed the Green Building checklist [Appendix J].
 
5.  Communication & Engagement 
 
As this is a Development Variance Permit application, notices were mailed to owners and tenants of properties within 50 metres (164 ft) of the subject property.  Notices were mailed out on June 29, 2023.
 
ALTERNATIVES:
 
1. That Council approve Development Permit No. DP000208 and Development Variance Permit No. DVP00306 and adopt Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2023, No. 3108. 
 
2. That Council denies Development Permit No. DP000208 and Development Variance Permit No. DVP00306 and defeats Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2023, No. 3108.