Staff Report to Committee – Bylaw No. 1912 (Application to Rezone 913–929 Bray Ave) (Z20-0008)

PURPOSE

Rachael Sansom has applied on behalf of Rejuvenate Dt Langford Inc. in order to rezone the properties located at 913, 917, 921, 925, 929 Bray Avenue from the R2 (One and Two Family Residential) Zone to the CC1 (City Centre 1) Zone to allow for the construction of a high-density development.

BACKGROUND

PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS

• 929 Bray Avenue – no development related applications to date;
• 925 Bray Avenue – no development related applications; however, a building permit was issued in 1998 for renovations to the existing two-family dwelling;
• 921 Bray Avenue - no development related applications; however, a building permit was issued in 1997 for renovations to the existing two-family dwelling;
• 917 Bray Avenue -no development related application; however, a building permit was issued in 1998 to construct a garage.

Table 1: Site Data

SITE AND SURROUNDING AREA

The subject properties are relatively flat, uniformly shaped rectangular sites facing Bray Avenue. The assembly of five properties are located on the eastern half of the block, near the corner of Jacklin Road. Three of the properties contain two-family dwellings, which are not strata titled, whereas the remaining two properties contain one-family dwellings. All five subject properties have frontage and driveway access off of Bray Avenue.

Bray Avenue is made up of low-density residential homes, primarily original single-family dwellings on lots with wider frontages. Despite its Official Community Plan (OCP) designation as City Centre, Bray Avenue has not seen a large uptake in the amount of applications to rezone in order to meet the density objectives found within the OCP. Redevelopment on the street to date has consisted of two-family dwellings, both attached and detached. An application to rezone the property at Carlow Road and Bray Avenue (2865 Carlow Road) to allow a 9-unit townhouse development was adopted in August 2020.

Beyond Bray Avenue, the City Centre OCP designation of the area has resulted in high density commercial and residential redevelopment. In the past 10 years, properties along Jacklin Road have been redeveloped into high density residential uses.

Table 2: Surrounding Land Uses

COMMENTS

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN

As mentioned, the properties are within the City Centre OCP designation, a designation that supports and encourages high density commercial and residential redevelopment. The proposal meets the objectives outlined below by redeveloping low density properties into a higher density development thus providing housing for a greater number of people in the City Centre where amenities and services are already established.

City Centre Policy Designation Objectives:

• A major regional growth and employment centre that supports a wide range of high-density housing, including affordable and rental housing, in conjunction with commercial, office, institutional and light industrial uses;
• A place with the highest degree of inter-city connection through a regional transportation network and transportation hubs;
• A place where a wide range of public squares, parks, and open spaces are integrated throughout;
• A place of community gathering and celebration where civic uses and public buildings are key landmarks; and
• A place of interactive and animated streetscapes where public art and public space are employed to celebrate local cultural and natural history.