REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 27, 2016 Report No. DEV-16-030
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Council consultation with persons, organizations, and authorities it considers may be affected by proposed amendment to Official Community Plan for Esquimalt Village Project, 1235 Esquimalt Road (Lot 1, Section 11, Suburban Lot 40, Esquimalt District, Plan EPP32782), Staff Report DEV-16-030
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council, having considered Sections 475 and 476 of the Local Government Act, authorize staff to invite those persons, organizations and authorities identified in the “OCP Amendment Circulation List” attached as Schedule ‘B’ to Staff Report DEV-16-030 to provide comments on the proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan for the Esquimalt Village Project.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Sections 475 and 476 of the Local Government Act.
The Official Community Plan
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Council’s strategic priorities include: “Continue to actively market opportunities in the Esquimalt Village Project”.
BACKGROUND:
Applicant: Aragon Investments Ltd.
Owner: Township of Esquimalt
Existing OCP Designation: Institutional
Proposed OCP Designation: Esquimalt Village Centre
Existing Zoning: TC [Town Centre]
Proposed Zoning: CD [Esquimalt Village Centre]
Schedules: - “A” Proposed concept plan of the Esquimalt Village Project; and
- “B” Proposed OCP amendment consultation list.
As part of establishing the planning framework for the Esquimalt Village Project, it is necessary to amend the Official Community Plan. The amendment will include:
- Amending Schedule “A” of the OCP to designate the Esquimalt Village Project site as the “Esquimalt Village Centre”;
- Amending Schedule “C” of the OCP to the establish a site specific Development Permit Area;
- Adding site specific Development Permit Guidelines for the:
o establishment of objectives for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development;
o establishment of objectives to promote energy conservation;
o establishment of objectives to promote water conservation; and
o establishment of objectives to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Making text amendments to ensure consistency of the proposed development with the OCP. For example, Section 2.3.3.2 (f) states, “Thornton Walk, which is aligned to magnetic north and has historic significance as one of the region’s earliest survey lines, will continue to form the major internal north/south pedestrian link and organizing axis of Esquimalt Village.” First, this statement is not accurate since the magnetic north pole moves. For example, in 1900 it was located at approximately 70o north latitude and 96o west longitude. In 2015 it was located at approximately 86o north latitude and 150o west longitude. Since the magnetic north pole has moved and the survey line has not, Thornton Walk is no longer aligned with the magnetic north pole. Second, and perhaps more germane to the proposed development however, is the fact that while there will still be a pedestrian corridor in roughly the same location as the Thornton Walk, it will be designed using contemporary urban design and architectural principles and therefore, will not be aligned exactly with the existing “Thornton Walk”. This section will be amended accordingly.
Pursuant to Sections 475 and 476 of the Local Government Act, Council must consider which affected persons, organizations, and authorities they wish to consult as a result of the proposed amendments listed above. A proposed consultation list is found in Schedule “B”. Once Council has approved the list, staff will notify those persons, organizations, and authorities identified by Council and provide them with an opportunity to consult with the Township on matters of concern.
In addition to the above consultation, there will be a public hearing. It is anticipated that the Official Community Plan amending bylaw along with the Zoning Bylaw amending bylaw and the Phased Development Agreement bylaw will be presented to Council for first and second reading at a special meeting of Council scheduled for Monday, May 30, 2016. The public hearing for the three bylaws is tentatively scheduled for June 21, 2016 or June 27, 2016.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
By law, Council must consider which affected persons, organizations, and authorities they wish to consult.
2. Organizational Implications
The circulation of notices to affected persons, organizations, and authorities will not have significant organizational implications.
3. Financial Implications
There are no significant financial implications anticipated as a result of the consultation process.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no significant sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
All affected persons, organizations, and authorities that are identified by Council will receive a written notice from the Township inviting them to meet with staff or submit written comments related to any concerns they may have with the proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan. In addition to this consultation, there will be a public hearing for the Official Community Plan amending bylaw, the Zoning Bylaw amending bylaw, and the Phased Development Agreement bylaw.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council, having considered Sections 475 and 476 of the Local Government Act, authorize staff to invite those persons, organizations and authorities identified in the “OCP Amendment Circulation List” attached as Schedule ‘B’ to provide comments on the proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan for the Esquimalt Village Project.
2. That Council, having considered Sections 475 and 476 of the Local Government Act, not authorize staff to invite those persons, organizations and authorities identified in the “OCP Amendment Circulation List” attached as Schedule ‘B’ to provide comments on the proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan for the Esquimalt Village Project.