There is frustration and concern for Âé¶čAV councillors over changes to provincial housing legislation.
âThere is a whole bunch of what weâre looking at that I just fundamentally have a problem with,â said Coun. Charlie Hodge during a council meeting on Feb. 5.
Part of the legislation requires a minimum of four units on lots in suburban areas of a municipality and six units in urban areas.
There are approximately 13,400 lots in the city that can accommodate four units.
The legislation also does away with requirements for public hearings for developments as long as they donât seek variances and meet Official Community Plan guidelines.
The public hearing issue is one that Hodge has spoken against at several previous council meetings.
READ MORE: Lack of public hearing frustrates Âé¶čAV councillors
âThat being the main access the public has to council on issues and I wonder how long before weâll even need a council if they continue to take away everything from our ability to deal with the public.â
Infill housing in the heritage conservation and building heights around Âé¶čAV General Hospital (KGH) also concerned councillors.
âI donât see tearing down a heritage house and putting in a fourplexâŠthereâs nothing heritage about that no matter how itâs designed,â said Coun. Rick Webber.
Coun. Ron Cannan suggested that the mayor write the province asking that the few blocks in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas be exempt from the legislation.
The suggestion was not taken up by the rest of council.
Staff is proposing that suburban infill rules be applied to the heritage conservation area.
âThatâs to accommodate the sensitivity related to that particular area,â said Adam Cseke, planner specialist.
The legislation also requires a minimum of 10-storey buildings within 200 metres of a transit exchange.
The province has designated the bus stop at KGH as a transit hub.
âHowever, when we met with Interior Health, that would significantly impact the operations of the heliport,â said Cseke. âWeâre recommending we only go to six storeys.â
Staff will present more information on the changes to legislation at councilâs next regular meeting on Feb. 12.
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