Zoning bylaw review process
Making sure that bylaws are properly drafted, implemented and enforced is absolutely vital to ensure that Oak Bay's future reflects what we residents need and want. This includes not only the way our community looks, but mostly a number of other important issues directly related to our daily lives. Here are a few examples:
Parking Traffic Taxes Livability Safety Noise Pollution
The new OCP foresees a community exceptionally difference from the reasonably "single-family minded' community that has made Oak Bay one of the most livable communities in Canada. Based on a clear densification agenda, the new plan will require substantial changes to a number of municipal bylaws, with emphasis to oak Bay's zoning bylaw.
With the prospect of unlimited densification (under the disguise of "promoting affordable housing"), OBW has made a priority to make sure that council and city staff carry out the bylaws revision process in a legal manner, following the right procedures, particularly those specifically related to "Land Planning and Use".
Read more: "The Local Government Act of BC"
Public participation in bylaw revision is a long-lasting undertaking, one that we hope is dealt with by the city
with TRANSPARENCY, adequate PUBLIC INFORMATION and CONSULTATION.
Parking Traffic Taxes Livability Safety Noise Pollution
The new OCP foresees a community exceptionally difference from the reasonably "single-family minded' community that has made Oak Bay one of the most livable communities in Canada. Based on a clear densification agenda, the new plan will require substantial changes to a number of municipal bylaws, with emphasis to oak Bay's zoning bylaw.
With the prospect of unlimited densification (under the disguise of "promoting affordable housing"), OBW has made a priority to make sure that council and city staff carry out the bylaws revision process in a legal manner, following the right procedures, particularly those specifically related to "Land Planning and Use".
Read more: "The Local Government Act of BC"
Public participation in bylaw revision is a long-lasting undertaking, one that we hope is dealt with by the city
with TRANSPARENCY, adequate PUBLIC INFORMATION and CONSULTATION.
Duplex zoning changes....OCP's not so hidden agenda.....
The zoning bylaw does not presently include a zone that permits duplex residences.
Developers have invested time and money lobbying for duplexes to be included in community plans throughout the province. They managed to have their wishes come true in the new OCP.
In the case of the Estevan duplex, decisions were made by the previous council in a less than transparent way, disregarding the OCP in place at that time, and mostly, without properly considering extensive input offered by the community.
With the new OCP in place, and taking into account council's history of not properly engaging the community in decisions about zoning changes, OBW has made the zoning bylaw review one of its utmost priorities.
We believe that residents must be given appropriate time and means to understand and react to the practical implications of duplexes being built in their neighbourhoods. As a matter of fact (and by law) residents must to be included in the decision making process of ALL Land Planning and Use issues in Oak Bay.
Read more: "History of how council passed the Estevan duplex" (even though advised by senior staff not to !)
Developers have invested time and money lobbying for duplexes to be included in community plans throughout the province. They managed to have their wishes come true in the new OCP.
In the case of the Estevan duplex, decisions were made by the previous council in a less than transparent way, disregarding the OCP in place at that time, and mostly, without properly considering extensive input offered by the community.
With the new OCP in place, and taking into account council's history of not properly engaging the community in decisions about zoning changes, OBW has made the zoning bylaw review one of its utmost priorities.
We believe that residents must be given appropriate time and means to understand and react to the practical implications of duplexes being built in their neighbourhoods. As a matter of fact (and by law) residents must to be included in the decision making process of ALL Land Planning and Use issues in Oak Bay.
Read more: "History of how council passed the Estevan duplex" (even though advised by senior staff not to !)