Height-measurement changes moved forward
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Updated: September 17, 2009 3:51 PM
The way building heights are measured in the West Beach waterfront business area is closer to being changed, now that council has given first and second reading to White Rock zoning bylaw text amendments.
Development services director Paul Stanton presented a report to the land use and planning committee Monday, which states building height in the CR-2 and CS-1 zones (adjacent to Marine Drive, Victoria Avenue and Oxford and Vidal Streets) has traditionally been measured from the average natural grade at the mid points adjacent to the four sides of the building, to the roof peak or highest point, resulting in a bonus height on steeply sloped lots.
At a July 20 committee meeting, there was an agreement to limit the zones’ maximum building height to three stories with provision for pitched roofs and nine-foot ceiling heights on the residential floors, by measuring up from the lowest average natural grade adjacent to the building regardless of the degree of slope.
Stanton wrote in his report the revisions “will reduce the potential impact on views for property owners to the north of these lands, and assist in preserving the three-storey character of the West Beach waterfront business area...”
The text amendments also address minimum requirements for lot width, depth and area, which have traditionally been included in the subdivison bylaw.
Stanton wrote in his report the inclusion has caused complications, and allows the approving authority to waive the minimum frontage requirements on subdivision approvals.
Transferring the minimum requirements to the zoning bylaw will assist administration of the requirements and ensure the minimum lot width (frontage) can only be varied by council by way of development variance permit.
Coun. Doug McLean said the amendments are positive for the community.
“This council has said they are going to ensure greater clarity for developers,” he said. “This particular amendment does that.”
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