麻豆AV

麻豆AV city staff will begin drafting changes to heritage area housing guidelines after council heard strong feedback at a recent public hearing, much of it focused on concerns over three-storey homes, design rules, and how much authority staff should have in approving changes.

The issue came back to council on July 21 following a June 17 public hearing. While no new public input was allowed, planning staff provided a full summary of the key concerns and how they plan to address them.

鈥淪taff will start crafting amendments to the bylaw,鈥� said Robert Miles, the city鈥檚 long-range planning department manager. 鈥淭his approach would involve council considering more heritage alteration permits and variances in the conservation area, and with the greater role for public input.鈥�

One of the most concerning issues for area residents was the allowance of three-storey homes. While permitted under new provincial rules (Bill 44), some councillors said residents are still upset.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had real serious opposition to three-storey,鈥� Coun. Maxine DeHart said. 鈥淚鈥檓 still not convinced about the three stories, and I know that a lot of us around the table have got that feedback. So I think you should take that very seriously.鈥�

Miles clarified that under the new RU1 zoning, which applies to much of the Heritage Conservation Area, three-storey buildings are allowed, but the top floor is limited to 70 per cent of the building鈥檚 footprint and is encouraged to be set back from the street.

鈥淭his allows for the lower-scale character of the homes to be the focus that someone sees the most from the street,鈥� Miles said. 鈥淲hile allowing for creative options to accommodate new homes in the back.鈥�

Concerns were also raised about heritage alteration permits and the authority city staff have to approve them.

Given the public push back, staff now recommend narrowing that authority. 

鈥淚f a variance to height is proposed鈥� delegated authority is not available and council would consider the application,鈥� Miles said.

Coun. Ron Cannan called on Mayor Tom Days to take the issue to the new provincial housing minister. 

鈥淲e want to put density in an area where we believe it鈥檚 in the best interest of our city, not somebody's bureaucrat in Victoria,鈥� he said.

Cannan has pushed to have 麻豆AV鈥檚 Heritage Conservation Area exempted from provincial housing legislation.

Dyas noted that the city continues to advocate to the province.

鈥榃e carry that message forward to our residents, and we've heard them,鈥� he added. 鈥淭here's a shopping list of all of them that we continually run through, so appreciate your comments.鈥� 

Staff will bring back bylaw amendments for further consideration by council.