Zoning Bylaw Renewal
Consultation has concluded
Project description:
Zoning Bylaw 580 has replaced Zoning Bylaw 25, which was originally adopted by Council 35 years ago. The District of Sechelt has undergone significant changes since that time, and time has come to create a new updated zoning bylaw that aligns itself with the District’s core planning documents. These planning documents include the Official Community Plan (OCP) — Bylaw 580 aligns the District’s zoning and land-use regulations with what was approved in the OCP. When staff update the OCP in the future they will make concurrent changes to the zoning bylaw. You can read the OCP in full here:
- Official Community Plan
- Bylaw 580 compared to the OCP: View this interactive map.
We presented to Council on two dates in July, held a Public Hearing in September, and returned to Council for Third Reading and Adoption:
- (Complete) July 6: Engagement Summary
- (Complete) July 20: Bylaw 580 Second Reading
- (Complete) September 8: Public Hearing
- (Complete) September 21: Bylaw 580 Third Reading
- (Complete) October 6: Bylaw 580 Adoption
Join us for a virtual chat and learn or an open house. We understand people have different schedules, so we've lined up a few different options:
- (Complete) May 24: Online via Zoom.
- (Complete) May 25: Online via Zoom.
- (Complete) May 26: In-person at the Seaside Centre. This session will be interactive and have people on-hand to help answer specific questions. Short presentations will take place at 1:30 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.
Project history:
A key goal of the 2009-2011 Council Strategic Plan was to update the OCP, which was accomplished in 2011. The 2012-2014 Strategic Plan included a goal in the ‘Very Short Term’ to re-write the District's affordable housing bylaws. Subsequently the 2015-2018 Strategic Plan highlighted that the District's zoning bylaw would be the priority project for 2016. This fed into the current 2019-2022 Strategic Plan which commits to land use regulatory reform, which includes an updated land use bylaw.
What is a Zoning Bylaw?
A zoning bylaw is a regulatory land use bylaw; it defines land uses and sets parameters for development including type, size, location and density of buildings. Zoning provides areas where uses can and cannot occur and also has a property map highlighting the location of the various zones throughout the District. Planners use the bylaw on a daily basis and regularly interpret and share elements of it with current and future residents of Sechelt. The documents section helps to break down the zoning bylaws and their changes.
*Find links to both the entire proposed Zoning Bylaw 580 and a summary of the proposed bylaw under the documents section on the right hand side of this page.
How is my property zoned?
The link below will open a map feature that lets you zoom in to find your property. You will see two side by side maps: the right side displays the current zoning and the left side displays the proposed zoning. You can view the map here:
FAQ
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1) Height and Density
- a) Are the height and footprint restrictions for the existing R2 (Bylaw No. 25) changing?
- b) The 8.2 m height for buildings in the proposed R1 zone seems to be a challenge for houses built on steep slopes (as in Tuwanek). Does this height refer to the total height or does it exclude basements?
- c) Are there height and/or density changes for properties originally designated R1 (Zoning Bylaw No. 25) that will now be designated R2 (Zoning Bylaw No. 580)?
- d) In the Summary of Bylaw Zoning Districts, page 9, "the RM1 zone expands on the height and density allowed in the R4 and R5 districts". What does this mean? Would it change scale or density rules?
- e) Why would a lot have been rezoned from allowing two homes to now only allowing one home?
- f) Does the new zoning bylaw create more or less opportunities for densification compared to the previous bylaw?
- g) Given the current housing crisis, how is the need for increased housing addressed in the proposed bylaw changes when certain areas are moving to reduced density zonings?
- h) Can you clarify/confirm that any subdivision within the RU2 zone would require 100 ha of land?
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2) Specific Zoning Changes
- a) Could you please say more about the change in the Sandy Hook Clear-cut area from R-3 to RU-2? What does that mean for residential development in that area?
- b) In the CD1 zone, has there been any study on the golf course, given the environmental impacts of a golf course with frequent water shortages each year?
- c) Are there any communities that saw significant changes to their previous zoning from Bylaw 25?
- d) Are strata/condo buildings zoned as apartments?
- e) Under RU1 zoning "This zone allows limited agricultural and residential uses on large rural lots that are outside of the ALR, meaning that this land is not protected by the provincial government" in that statement, what protection is being lost?
- f) Will some properties be grandfathered in if the new zoning doesn't allow for what exists there now?
- g) Why are there limitations for 90 m2 accessory dwelling units? Why are garage plus suites not an option when there is a parking issue in some areas on side streets?
- h) What recourse do current homeowners have if the proposed zoning changes are approved and the plans people have for developing their properties are no longer allowable?
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3) Parking and Transportation
- a) In the proposed C4 zone, what is the required number of Commercial and Visitor (clients, shoppers, etc.) parking spaces in relation to the number of required spaces for the residential units that will be above the commercial units.
- b) How does the new bylaw plan for electric car chargers, bike parking and scooter parking, specifically in new commercial development (C4)? How are you planning scooter and bike parking that is suitable for an aging population?
- c) Are there any plans to build a road from the new development on Derby Rd, West Sechelt to downtown? Is this part of this new zoning?
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4) Short-Term Rentals
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5) Other
- a) How does the W-1 zone align with the OCP statement that no new private docks will be allowed?
- b) The proposed zoning bylaw references different areas within the CD1 area that have different permitted uses and restrictions. These areas are not reflected in the current zoning map. Is there a map of the areas referenced in the document for CD1?
- c) What impacts will there be on infrastructure (water, sewers)?
- d) Why was an updated Official Community Plan not done?
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6) Process
- a) What is the timeframe for the draft of the 580 bylaw to officially replace Bylaw 25? What is the best way to follow up on specific property questions and concerns with the new proposed bylaw?
- b) Why is this update happening now?
- c) Where can you find calendar dates?
- d) Did the Community Associations get an official referral?