DocumentsStaff ReportApr 2, 2024Pages 36–38
Staff Report to Council - Bylaw 2082 Proposed Revision (garage size implementation) - October 10, 2023
Staff report (Oct 10, 2023) recommending revisions to the garage-size amendment portion of Bylaw 2082 due to impacts on in-stream development applications and advising a new Public Hearing would be required if changes introduced.
Key facts
- Report date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
- Concern about increasing garage length from 5.5 m to 6 m and impacts on ~5 in-stream applications
- Legal note: new Public Hearing required if new information introduced
- Options: rescind readings and give new First Reading to revised bylaw or schedule new Public Hearing for existing version
Staff Report to Council - Bylaw 2082 – Omnibus 60, Various Housekeeping Items – Revision Proposed
2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue
Langford, BC V9B 2X8
t 250.478.7882
e administration@langford.ca
DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Planning
APPLICATION NO.: Z22-0022
SUBJECT: Bylaw No. 2082 – Omnibus 60, Various Housekeeping Items – Revision Proposed
BACKGROUND
Council held a Public Hearing and gave 2nd and 3rd reading to Bylaw No. 2082, an omnibus bylaw proposing various housekeeping amendments to Zoning Bylaw No. 300, on July 17th, 2023. The bylaw included a proposal to set a minimum size for garages, as described below:
Proposed Change and Rationale
| Proposed Change | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Section 4, Parking Regulations, would be amended by adding the following as section 4.01.02 (2) to Zoning Bylaw No. 300 1. The minimum dimensions for garages is 3m x 6m for a single wide, single car garage, 3m x 12m for a single-wide, double car garage (i.e. tandem) and 6m x 6m for a double wide, double car garage, measured from finished interior surface |
The proposed amendment would establish a minimum internal clear space requirement. Staff are proposing this amendment to ensure parking spaces are suitable for parking of vehicles and not resulting in the spaces being used for storage while the owners occupy on-street parking spaces. This proposal is based on standard car sizes and the safe clearance required from the internal garage walls. |
Since then, staff have further considered a conflict for in-stream applications in relation to the proposed increase to the minimum dimensions of a garage.
COMMENTARY
Currently, the Zoning bylaw does not set out a minimum size for garages and relies on the minimum parking space dimensions outlined in Section 4, Parking Regulations instead. The standard size for a parking space is considered to be 2.6 m wide by 5.5 m in length which is increased to 2.7 m wide when there is an obstruction on one side (double wide garage), and 3 m when there are obstructions on both sides (single car garage or tandem garage).
While the proposed increase in size is intended to provide some extra wiggle room within the garages, the increased length from 5.5 m to 6 m is of particular concern to many in-stream applications that have already completed detailed design work for their projects under the current regulations. As this change would occur late in their design process, some projects would potentially lose units, require additional setback variances, or require costly redesigns. Staff are proposing that a revision be made to Bylaw No. 2082 to include an allowance for projects that have received a form and character development permit before December 31, 2023, to proceed with the current regulations. Council may wish to note that development permits are only valid for two years, so if an applicant did not proceed with constructing in accordance with their approved development permit, it would lapse and they would be required to meet the new bylaw regulations.
Staff anticipate that there are approximately 5 in-stream applications that would benefit from this revision.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
As this report has introduced new information about Bylaw No. 2082, Council will be required to hold another Public Hearing, regardless of whether they proceed with the revised version or the original version of the bylaw.
OPTIONS
Option 1
That Council:
- Rescind 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading of Bylaw No. 2082;
AND
- Give 1st reading to Bylaw No. 2082, as revised;
AND
- Direct staff to schedule a new Public Hearing for the revised version of Bylaw No. 2082.
OR Option 2
That Council:
- Direct staff to schedule a new Public Hearing for the existing version of Bylaw No. 2082.
SUBMITTED BY
Julia Buckingham, Planner II
Concurrence:
Leah Stohmann, MCIP, RPP, Deputy Director of Planning and Subdivision
Concurrence:
Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Business Development and Events
Concurrence:
Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP, Director of Planning and Subdivision
Concurrence:
Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
Concurrence:
Marie Watmough, Deputy Director of Corporate Services
Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services
Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer
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