Project Summary N-099: Off-street parking review
Comprehensive review of parking regulations in the Zoning Bylaw.
Project Summary
Project Name: Off-street parking review Priority: Discretionary Public Engagement: Consult Project Number: 1-2-05100-615 CC510-32 Submitted by: Stirling Scory, Senior Planner Director: Leanne Taylor, Development Services
Executive Summary
At the Committee of the Whole meeting on October 10, 2023, Council received a report detailing the terms of reference for the Off-street parking review. Following the Province’s announcement of Bill 44 Housing Statutes (Residential Development), Amendment Act, 2023 in November 2023, Council tabled discussion of the Review to an anticipated Strategic Planning meeting. In June 2024, Council updated some of the parking requirements in Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 to align with the small-scale, multi-unit housing legislation. Moving forward, staff recommend deferring this project to 2027 after completion of the OCP and to be completed concurrently with the Zoning Bylaw Review and Update. The project timeline has been amended accordingly.
Business problem and opportunity
During the draft OCP consultation in 2021, Council directed staff to review the existing parking regulations in the Zoning Bylaw to better understand parking supply and demand in new developments as there were concerns that the current parking regulations were too high, which could result in less efficient and desirable site planning and design outcomes.
Other parking related issues require attention such as accessible spaces, bicycle parking, EV charging, and cash-in-lieu compensation.
Proposed project objectives
Detailed project objectives are attached as additional information to this project summary.
Business risks
The risks associated with not undertaking a fulsome review of the Town’s parking standards may include more parking variances, potential negative impacts to new businesses seeking to open in the municipality as they await variance decisions, reduced cash-in-lieu compensation, undesirable site planning, and impacts on housing affordability. Providing too much parking can discourage the use of alternative modes of transportation.
Proposed sources of funding
Casino revenue (any approved grant funding would reduce the use of Casino revenue)
Costs and benefits
| Costs | FY1 | FY2 | FY3 | FY4 | FY5 | 5-year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Operational | 0 | 0 | 75,000 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 75,000 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Tangible | Increase potential for land use, decrease site impact |
| Intangible | More sustainable development, potential to decrease private automobile use |
Recommendation
THAT the Committee recommend the 2026-2030 Financial Plan include Off-street parking review in 2028 to be funded by Casino revenue.
Additional Information
Committee of the Whole Minutes (June 1, 2021): https://viewroyalbc.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?preview=47036
Council motion:
Proposed project objectives:
- undertake a comprehensive review and update of the Town’s parking regulations for all uses, except for those housing types (i.e., residential uses) that are not required to have parking under the legislative changes in Bill 44;
- undertake a comprehensive review and update on accessible, EV charging infrastructure, and bicycle parking requirements;
- introduce loading and visitor parking requirements;
- ensure that the parking requirements for all uses reflect current policies, local parking needs and best practices;
- establish best practices for dealing with minor parking variances for commercial businesses, to support the local economy and streamline processing times;
- review the current cash-in-lieu requirements for a reduction in parking to ensure the Town is being adequately compensated for parking variances; and
- carry out extensive stakeholder and public engagement to test parking innovations.