TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 3, 2024 Report No. DEV-24-035
TO: Council
FROM: James Davison, Manager of Development Services
SUBJECT: Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing (SSMFH) Zoning Bylaw Amendment
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. That Council give first, second, third reading to, and adopt, Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050 Amendment Bylaw No. 3139.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report presents a Zoning Bylaw amendment addressing the recent legislative requirements as set by the Government of British Columbia relating to Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing (SSMFH).
Staff recommends taking the approach of providing only the Zoning Bylaw amendments which the Province is requiring rather than being more comprehensive, and mostly following the Provincial recommendations around site standards. Staff recommends that further amendments to the Zoning Bylaw are better served in an omnibus bylaw later in the year.
Staff proposes that all eligible parcels in the Township retain their existing zoning until they meet a minimum number of units per parcel. When this is achieved, the new SSMFH zoning and associated site standards will apply.
BACKGROUND:
The proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw are a response to the requirements set by the Provincial Government's Bill 44 legislation and the subsequent Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council No. 673. Local governments in British Columbia are required to amend their Zoning Bylaws to accommodate the legislation and the order no later than June 30, 2024. In the Township's case, this involves permitting parcels in 'restricted zones' (single-family and two-family zones) to accommodate up to three dwelling units in parcels of 280m2 or less, and up to four dwelling units in parcels between 280m2 and 4,050m2 in size.
The 'Restricted Zones' which must accommodate additional dwelling units are:
* Single family zones not permitting a secondary suite or Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) (max...
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