NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 12, 2019
With the District’s first 2019 Council Meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm Monday, January 14, 2019 and Priority Session(s) to be held in January/ February, it is important at this point to consider carefully:
Where we were: Where we are: Where do we want to be: What do we know, and what do we have to know, in order to get there:
Recognizing a problem is only the beginning: however that still leaves finding and implementing the right solution. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Well done is better than well said”
Where we were:
Oak Bay had a solid Official Community Plan (OCP) that controlled growth to a level that kept up with services, maintained taxes at a sustainable level, a zoning by law that protected and preserved trees and was described by a leading architect in 2007 (before OCP modification) as:
“… one of the best … totally clear, black and white, devoid of areas that require interpretations … It has also allowed enough flexibility to enable the architect /designer to answer their client’s needs without damaging the streetscape”
The Director of Building and Planning in response to the 2007 zoning change warned:
“This is a major policy change … and an unnecessary one because no one is complaining about the size of a new house you can build under the current bylaw - in fact if there has been any complaint, it is that new houses can be built too big. Under this approach, even larger houses would be permitted”.
Council admitted the 2007 zoning change was a mistake and eventually set up a Committee to correct it.
Where we are:
It has been recognized by Council members and the Community that the 2014 Official Community Plan (OCP) is too vague. The OCP page 67 points out that: “the community survey input indicated that design that “fits in” with the neighbourhood is the gold standard for any new construction”. It is obvious from observations and development approvals that the built environment and land use sections of the OCP are often being interpreted to encourage and aid over-development.
However, it is failing to protect the gold standard, the urban forest and the public interest. In fact, many of the new developments are such an imposition that the neighbourhood doesn’t fit with the new house, instead of the other way around.
In April 2018 the Advisory Planning Commission was informed, in an extended session on zoning , that the 2014 Zoning Committee that had been assigned the task of correcting the 2007 zoning mistake had failed to meet its objective. It had led to a great deal of over-building. The Commissioners were informed by one of its members that too many exemptions had been permitted and developers were now, “building to the maximum” :there had been lots of “push back” (sources not unidentified).
For some unknown reason this important information was not recorded in the minutes of the Advisory Planning Commission’s meeting and if this message had been passed on to Council, no action had been taken (other than the Community’s deciding to change Council in October 2018).
There is an abundance of evidence that over-densification and its associated impacts are big Community problems. The community has expressed a lot of discontent with the lack of development cost charges, public interest policy and guidelines and some current Planning Department practices in the development application process.
Another, often repeated, concern Council members and the community have is the lack of notice and openness on new builds. Some time ago Councilor Zhelka recommended the District acquire a very inexpensive tool already in use by other Districts that would provide residents with this important information in a timely manner - (see Appendix #1 for details).
Where do we want to be:
Council is to set priorities for 2019 in January/February. There are lots of indicators of what the Community has stated requires improvement. Many of the practices and initiatives required to move forward have been successfully implemented in other Communities – some financial plans and processes have won awards. There is no need for any more expensive studies and consultant contracts – adapt and adopt the effective practices and solutions that have proven successful elsewhere.
Oak Bay Watch Perspective:
Have you ever noticed that the communities with the most trees and strict development standards are the most desirable? The more trees and livability, it seems the more expensive and sought after the Community. Prime examples are Oak Bay’s Uplands, Vancouver’s Shaughnessy and Victoria’s Rockland. Some have, "managed" to have there own special Provincial protections legislated. The OCP devotes a whole page to our Uplands neighbourhood and explains its: “park like design and development standards” and “The trees in Uplands are an important contributor to Oak Bay’s tree canopy and urban forest”.
Council has the power and means to also protect the rest of our Community. There have been enough words, many people to write them and, also, reforms promised by Council in the last few years - now action and improvement is required. Growth and development must enhance a community not degrade it or scale down its desirability.
Appendix #1
Development Tracker Tool - Oak Bay's existing municipality software would be used and this software extension would cost approximately $14,000. The public interest benefits and the savings in staff time and efficiency would be invaluable.
Victoria is already using this software and North Cowichan announced it's purpose, implementation and Community benefits in the following press release.
With the District’s first 2019 Council Meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm Monday, January 14, 2019 and Priority Session(s) to be held in January/ February, it is important at this point to consider carefully:
Where we were: Where we are: Where do we want to be: What do we know, and what do we have to know, in order to get there:
Recognizing a problem is only the beginning: however that still leaves finding and implementing the right solution. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Well done is better than well said”
Where we were:
Oak Bay had a solid Official Community Plan (OCP) that controlled growth to a level that kept up with services, maintained taxes at a sustainable level, a zoning by law that protected and preserved trees and was described by a leading architect in 2007 (before OCP modification) as:
“… one of the best … totally clear, black and white, devoid of areas that require interpretations … It has also allowed enough flexibility to enable the architect /designer to answer their client’s needs without damaging the streetscape”
The Director of Building and Planning in response to the 2007 zoning change warned:
“This is a major policy change … and an unnecessary one because no one is complaining about the size of a new house you can build under the current bylaw - in fact if there has been any complaint, it is that new houses can be built too big. Under this approach, even larger houses would be permitted”.
Council admitted the 2007 zoning change was a mistake and eventually set up a Committee to correct it.
Where we are:
It has been recognized by Council members and the Community that the 2014 Official Community Plan (OCP) is too vague. The OCP page 67 points out that: “the community survey input indicated that design that “fits in” with the neighbourhood is the gold standard for any new construction”. It is obvious from observations and development approvals that the built environment and land use sections of the OCP are often being interpreted to encourage and aid over-development.
However, it is failing to protect the gold standard, the urban forest and the public interest. In fact, many of the new developments are such an imposition that the neighbourhood doesn’t fit with the new house, instead of the other way around.
In April 2018 the Advisory Planning Commission was informed, in an extended session on zoning , that the 2014 Zoning Committee that had been assigned the task of correcting the 2007 zoning mistake had failed to meet its objective. It had led to a great deal of over-building. The Commissioners were informed by one of its members that too many exemptions had been permitted and developers were now, “building to the maximum” :there had been lots of “push back” (sources not unidentified).
For some unknown reason this important information was not recorded in the minutes of the Advisory Planning Commission’s meeting and if this message had been passed on to Council, no action had been taken (other than the Community’s deciding to change Council in October 2018).
There is an abundance of evidence that over-densification and its associated impacts are big Community problems. The community has expressed a lot of discontent with the lack of development cost charges, public interest policy and guidelines and some current Planning Department practices in the development application process.
Another, often repeated, concern Council members and the community have is the lack of notice and openness on new builds. Some time ago Councilor Zhelka recommended the District acquire a very inexpensive tool already in use by other Districts that would provide residents with this important information in a timely manner - (see Appendix #1 for details).
Where do we want to be:
Council is to set priorities for 2019 in January/February. There are lots of indicators of what the Community has stated requires improvement. Many of the practices and initiatives required to move forward have been successfully implemented in other Communities – some financial plans and processes have won awards. There is no need for any more expensive studies and consultant contracts – adapt and adopt the effective practices and solutions that have proven successful elsewhere.
Oak Bay Watch Perspective:
Have you ever noticed that the communities with the most trees and strict development standards are the most desirable? The more trees and livability, it seems the more expensive and sought after the Community. Prime examples are Oak Bay’s Uplands, Vancouver’s Shaughnessy and Victoria’s Rockland. Some have, "managed" to have there own special Provincial protections legislated. The OCP devotes a whole page to our Uplands neighbourhood and explains its: “park like design and development standards” and “The trees in Uplands are an important contributor to Oak Bay’s tree canopy and urban forest”.
Council has the power and means to also protect the rest of our Community. There have been enough words, many people to write them and, also, reforms promised by Council in the last few years - now action and improvement is required. Growth and development must enhance a community not degrade it or scale down its desirability.
Appendix #1
Development Tracker Tool - Oak Bay's existing municipality software would be used and this software extension would cost approximately $14,000. The public interest benefits and the savings in staff time and efficiency would be invaluable.
Victoria is already using this software and North Cowichan announced it's purpose, implementation and Community benefits in the following press release.
New online tool in North Cowichan will make development applications more more transparent and accessible to the public. Nov. 5, 2018
North Cowichan is looking to make information regarding land-use and development applications more easily available to the public. Council endorsed the roll out of the new online tool, which will be called “Building North Cowichan”, for early in the new year at its meeting on Oct. 10. When fully implemented, people will be able to access detailed information on active permits and applications, including drawings, technical information, background studies, the proponents’ contact information and the ongoing status of the application as it goes through the approval process.
“This tool allows the community to serve itself, reducing requests for information and freeing up valuable staff time,” said Chris Hutton, North Cowichan’s community planning coordinator, in a staff report. He said, when implemented, staff will ask applicants to consent to the publication of application information. “The full scope and aim of the project is to include all application types that are reviewed by council, which are typically developments the public would like to be informed about. Hutton also said the “Building North Cowichan” tool, an extension of existing software already being used by the municipality, will cost approximately $14,000 to implement. “This tool provides access to information for individuals and community partners.
“The ability to self serve is a starting point to meaningful dialogue.”
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*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well informed opinion cannot be made without this.
North Cowichan is looking to make information regarding land-use and development applications more easily available to the public. Council endorsed the roll out of the new online tool, which will be called “Building North Cowichan”, for early in the new year at its meeting on Oct. 10. When fully implemented, people will be able to access detailed information on active permits and applications, including drawings, technical information, background studies, the proponents’ contact information and the ongoing status of the application as it goes through the approval process.
“This tool allows the community to serve itself, reducing requests for information and freeing up valuable staff time,” said Chris Hutton, North Cowichan’s community planning coordinator, in a staff report. He said, when implemented, staff will ask applicants to consent to the publication of application information. “The full scope and aim of the project is to include all application types that are reviewed by council, which are typically developments the public would like to be informed about. Hutton also said the “Building North Cowichan” tool, an extension of existing software already being used by the municipality, will cost approximately $14,000 to implement. “This tool provides access to information for individuals and community partners.
“The ability to self serve is a starting point to meaningful dialogue.”
----------------------------------------------
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well informed opinion cannot be made without this.