CITY OF VANCOUVER
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Planning Department
City Plans

M E M O R A N D U M March 25, 2002
TO:	Mayor and Councillors (at Public Hearing)
COPY TO:	Francie Connell, Director of Legal Services Margaret Fairweather, Solicitor Syd Baxter, City Clerk Ann McAfee, Director of City Plans Dave Thomsett, Senior Planner, Rezoning Centre
FROM:	June Christy, Planner
SUBJECT:	Amendments to the RT-7 and RT-8 District Schedules and to the Kitsilano RT-7 and RT-8 Guidelines

On March 12, 2002, City Council referred some RT-7 and RT-8 housekeeping amendments to Public Hearing. The purpose of this memo is to notify Council of minor changes to two of the amendments that we are recommending. The proposed By-Law that will be posted and considered at the Public Hearing, will contain this change. The proposed wording is attached to this memo.

1. Proposed Change to Accessory Building Size

In the referral report, we originally recommended that the maximum size of accessory buildings (i.e. garages) permitted in Section 2.2 A (b) of the District Schedule be increased from 42 m2 to 48 m2. The larger garage would accommodate bicycle storage, for which a Floor Space Exclusion is provided but which cannot fit in a 42 m2 garage. Because of a possible problem, described below, we now propose that the outright accessory building size remain at 42 m2, but that a Director of Planning relaxation to 48m2 be included in Section 5 of the District Schedules to meet the same objective.

The intent of the RT-7 and RT-8 zones, as created and adopted in 1994, is to allow only a two car garage. However, depending on how 48 m2 is configured, it would be possible to fit in three parking spaces. It is possible that in the initial development application for a project, a "creative" applicant could propose a 3 space parking pad to satisfy the off-street parking requirements. Then, after the development permit is issued, he could apply for a second permit to build a 48 m2 3 car garage. Because accessory buildings are outright, it would have to be approved.

The proposed change, making the 48 m2 a relaxation, will allow assessment of proposals to ensure they are in keeping with the zoning's intent, i.e. a two car garage plus bicycle parking.

2. Proposed Exclusion of Parking Area in Infill Buildings

In the referral report, we recommend amending Section 4.7.3 to allow parking space located in an infill building to be excluded from FSR, to correct an inadvertent omission when the by-law was
first adopted. We propose adding a further clarification that the normal maximum exclusion would be 42 m2, with 48m2 possible by relaxation.

Proposed Revised Amendments

(The proposed additions are shown in bold italics.)

1. Recommended Amendments to the RT-7 and RT-8 District Schedule:

Section 4.7 Floor Space Ratio

Add clarification to a proposed change to Section 4.7.3 concerning floor space ratio exclusions.

Amendment:

...
(c) where floors are used for off-street parking and loading...which

(I)are located in an accessory building located on the site in accordance with section 2.2.A of this schedule, or in an Infill building, up to a maximum of 42 m2; ...

Section 5 Relaxation of Regulations

Keep Section 2.2.A (d) as now, but add a clause to Section 5, Relaxation of Regulations as follows.

Amendment

5.4 The Director of Planning may relax the regulations as follows, provided he first considers all applicable policies and guidelines adopted by Council:

(i) in section 2.2.A (d) concerning the maximum floor area of accessory buildings, in the case of multiple conversion dwellings having three or more units, to a maximum of 48 m2;

(ii) in section 4.7.3 (c) (i) concerning maximum excluded parking floor space in an accessory building in the case of multiple conversion dwellings having three or more units, or in an infill building, to a maximum of 48 m2.

2. Recommended Amendments to the Kitsilano RT-7 and RT-8 Guidelines

Section 4.9 Off-Street Parking and Loading

Add a clause 4.9.2 to clarify the use of the relaxation in Section 5.4

4.9.2 The intent of the floor space relaxations provided for in Section 5.4 is to allow for additional bicycle parking only to be located in the garage of an MCD containing 3 or more units, or in the garage under an infill building. The increase is not intended to accommodate more than two vehicles. Garage doors should be limited to two single doors, or one double size door. Doors large enough to accommodate three vehicle spaces should not be considered.

3. Additional Guideline

An additional guideline will be added to Section 4.9 of the Guidelines, to clarify how the proposed Section 5 relaxation should be used.

If you have any questions about these matters, please call me at 871-6114.

June Christy

JC/sb
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