REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: May 10, 2021 Report No. DEV-21-036
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Cost Impact of Fire Sprinklers and Undergrounding Utility Wiring on Missing Middle Housing
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council instruct staff:
1. not to amend the Fire Sprinkler section of Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899, since it is anticipated that the Province will introduce Fire Sprinkler Regulations that will usurp the provisions of the Bylaw; and
2. to bring a report to Council in 2021 regarding the review and updating of the Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw, 1997, No. 2175, including consideration of the cost impacts of requiring underground utility wiring on missing middle housing.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Community Charter
Local Government Act
Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw, 1997, No. 2175
Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Strategic Priority - Healthy, Livable, and Diverse Community
Strategic Goal - Support community growth, housing, and development consistent
with our Official Community Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On July 29, 2020, Mayor and Council received an e-mail from Ryan Jabbs, President of Lapis Homes, outlining two concerns related to the creation of affordable missing middle housing in Esquimalt (Appendix "A"). The first concern was related to the additional costs associated with having to install fire sprinklers. The Township of Esquimalt is one of approximately 30 local governments in British Columbia that have bylaws requiring the installation of fire sprinkler systems that vary from those of the British Columbia Building Code. Specifically, Esquimalt's Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 requires that any building with more than three dwelling units needs to have a fire sprinkler system installed. Mr. Jabbs argued that installing a fire sprinkler system in his 6-unit bu...
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