REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: January 7, 2021 Report No. APC-21-002
TO: Chair and Members of the Advisory Planning Commission; Design Review Committee
FROM: Tricia deMacedo, Policy Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units Proposed Regulations and Guidelines.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Advisory Planning Commission receive Staff Report APC-21-002 for information and provide a recommendation to Council regarding the proposed regulations and guidelines for the legalization of Detached Accessory Dwelling Units in the Township of Esquimalt.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Declaration of Climate Emergency
Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2018, No. 2922
Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No 2050
Parking Bylaw, 1992, No. 2011
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Support community growth, housing and development consistent with our Official Community Plan (OCP): Complete staff report on the feasibility and benefits of having a policy in regard to detached accessory dwelling units, carriage houses and below market housing.
BACKGROUND:
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (also known as garden suites, granny flats, detached suites, laneway homes, coach houses etc.) are small, detached dwellings, usually sited in the rear yard of single family lots and accessory to the principal dwelling. DADUs are often cited as a way to provide an opportunity for multiple generations to share property while retaining some independence and privacy for the residents. In addition, these suites can be a way for homeowners to offset the cost of their mortgage and for renters to live in detached housing at a lower cost.
Within the CRD, DADUs are currently permitted within the municipalities of Victoria, Colwood, Metchosin, North Saanich, Saanich, Sidney and Sooke. Further away, Nanaimo has had 'carriage house' regulations since 2008, and a large number of lower mainland municipalities allow 'laneway homes' and 'coach houses'. The City...
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