TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2024 Report No. EPW-24-024
TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT: Boulevard Alteration Permit Review
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of the Whole recommends that Council direct staff to remove the Boulevard Alteration Permit process from the Township's Guide to Boulevard Modifications and the Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2860 to allow acceptable boulevard modifications to be completed by residents without Boulevard Alteration Permits, as described in Staff Report EPW-24-024.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Township Guide to Boulevard Modifications (Guide) is the guiding document for residents to alter boulevard space in front of their property that resides on municipal property. To receive a Boulevard Alteration Permit to alter the boulevard according to the Guide, a resident must provide a planting plan, proof of neighbourhood support, insurance, and a deposit. This report provides the Committee of the Whole with an alternate option from Vancouver and Victoria that does not require a permit to be issued before modifications to the boulevard can occur. Staff are seeking direction and feedback from the Committee on if staff should make changes to the Guide and corresponding bylaws to reflect this approach.
BACKGROUND:
The Township Guide to Boulevard Modifications (Guide) and Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2860 (Bylaw) were established in 2015. According to Staff Report No. EPW-15-006 from the February 2, 2015 Council meeting, the need for the Guide was due to issues created by modification in the boulevard, including:
* Disruption of sightlines for vehicular movements
* Encroachment of vegetation on sidewalks so that it is difficult to walk on the sidewalk
* Visually unpleasing street furniture
* Violation of the Streets and Traffic Bylaw by parking on the boulevard
* Removal of the modifications due to utility se...
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