REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: November 23, 2021 Report No. DEV-21-082
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Alex Tang, Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Housing Agreement Bylaw - 1338, 1340, 1344 & 1350 Saunders Street
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council resolves that Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2021, No. 3033, attached as Appendix A of Staff Report DEV-21-082, for 1338, 1340, 1344, and 1350 Saunders Street be given first, second, and third readings.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050
Local Government Act
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This Request for Decision supports the following specific strategic objective: Healthy, Livable and Diverse Community - Support community growth, housing, and development consistent with our Official Community Plan.
BACKGROUND:
Appendix A: Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2021, No. 3033
Purpose of the Application
The applicant is requesting a change in zoning from the current RM-1 [Multiple Family Residential] zone to Comprehensive Development District No.139. This change is required to accommodate the proposed 6-storey residential building including 72 residential units and a 72-space parking garage.
The property owner and the Township wish to enter into a Housing Agreement that would include the following provisions:
• Other than restricting short-term rentals of less than 30 days, all of the dwelling units are available as rental housing rented under the terms of a residential tenancy agreement that complies with the provisions of the Residential Tenancy Act.
• A minimum of 6 affordable dwelling units will be provided consisting of:
o 3 One-bedroom units, and
o 3 Two-bedroom units.
• Affordable dwelling units must have an occupancy standard of at least one person per bedroom, and at least one person per bachelor unit.
• Affordable dwelling units must be occupied by households with a gross annual income at or below the BC Housing Income Limits for the Victoria region.
• Affordable rent is defined as not more than 30% of the gross household annual income.
• Provision that an individual, government agency, or corporation to allocate no more than ten dwelling units at any given time. An exception to this allocation is made for the Department of National Defence and Seaspan for workforce housing.
Should this Housing Agreement Bylaw be adopted, Township representatives will execute the document and register a Notice of the Housing Agreement on the title of the subject properties.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Registration of the Housing Agreement would ensure that a minimum of 6 units would be rented as affordable units.
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
This Request for Decision has no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
A housing agreement to secure the rental and affordable housing units is required as part of this rezoning application. The Local Government Act does not require that notification be provided when a municipality is considering approval of a Housing Agreement Bylaw.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council gives first, second and third readings to Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2021, No. 3033.
2. That Council defeats Housing Agreement Bylaw, 2021, No. 3033.