RURAL ZONE ACCESSORY BUILDING SETBACKS
Discussion report on why rural zones have significantly larger setbacks for accessory buildings compared to residential zones.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: December 3, 2014 FROM: J. Davison, MCIP RPP, Planner MEETING DATE: December 9, 2014 FILE NO.: n/a RE: Town-Initiated Rezoning, 2429 Chilco Rd
RURAL ZONE ACCESSORY BUILDING SETBACKS
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Committee receive this report for information.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES' COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to outline the issue of setbacks for accessory buildings and other accessory structures within the A-1: Rural, A-2: Pike Lake Rural Residential and A-3: Rural Residential zones.
DISCUSSION
Within the new Zoning Bylaw, the three Rural zones (A-1, A-2 and A-3) have much larger setbacks for accessory buildings and other structures than do residential, commercial and industrial zones. The setback for the Rural zones is 30m for the front lot line and 15m for the side yard, flanking yard and rear yard. Conversely, the setback for an accessory building or other structures within residential, commercial and industrial zones is 1.2m.
The reasoning behind these increased setbacks is three-fold: 1) there is a principal use of Agriculture within the three Rural zones, 2) the properties zoned Rural tend to be larger and consist of natural, fire-susceptible landscapes, and 3) the majority of the properties zoned as such are either within Environmental Development Permit areas outside of the Urban Containment Boundary, or are actively farmed within it.
There are only two properties within the Urban Containment Boundary which are designated as Rural in the Official Community Plan; they are both actively farmed, and one is in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
Principal Use of Agriculture
Within an Agriculture use there are many intensive and potentially disruptive uses, and larger accessory buildings permitted than within typical residential, commercial and industrial zones. The maximum height for a building used for agriculture is 12m. It follows that a building such as that be set back further from the property line than a standard garden shed, in terms of visual impact for a neighbour.
Rural Nature of Properties
The properties zoned for Rural use in View Royal are larger than typical residential properties, and come with unique considerations. Aside from preserving a rural, natural landscape, the setbacks also take into account the requirements for a Wildland Urban interface for fire protection. Every property outside of the Urban Containment Boundary is subject to the Wildland Urban Interface fire protection requirements. As such, it is desirable (and perhaps necessary) to have the required 10m-15m area of defensible, fire-resistant landscaping on the property rather than being forced to clear neighbouring properties.
Environmental Development Permits
Any application for an accessory building outside the Urban Containment Boundary requires an Environmental Development Permit. In that context, if a reduced setback is requested the variance process can be undertaken as part of the Development Permit process. There is no additional cost or project delay associated with including a variance in the application.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Committee receive this report for information.
SUBMITTED BY: J. Davison, MCIP RPP, Planner
REVIEWED BY: L. Chase, MCIP RPP, Director of Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
- Rural zone tables (A-1, A-2, A-3)
- Map of rural properties in View Royal
Document Images
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