Letter to Mayor & Council Re: 315 Stewart Avenue Dock Refurbishment Plans

Letter to Mayor & Council

315 Stewart Avenue View Royal, British Columbia Abel Cheng: Carrie Cheng:

Monday January 26, 2015

Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria BC V9B 1A6

Re: 315 Stewart Avenue Dock Refurbishment Plans Approval for Commencement of Work

Dear Mayor Screech, and Council,

Please accept this as our request for approval to commence work on the refurbishment of the existing dock at 315 Stewart Avenue, Victoria BC.

After reviewing the Official Community Plan, we are confident our proposed design conforms to the guidelines. In addition, all requirements for dock applications have been filed, including:

• Transport Canada Minor Works Exemptions
• DFO Working Near Water Requirements
• Department of National Defense License of Application

In addition to the Official Community Plan, our proposed design also conforms to View Royal's Private Dock Development Guideline, and contributes positively to the environment and the neighbourhood in the following ways:

• Reduced footprint (the part that is actually in contact with water) will be approx. 33% less than the currently existing one, reducing impact of dock on the site;
• Neighbouring properties north and south have well-established English ivy coverage, which is heavily affecting the health on mature trees and will be removed to promote growth;
• Established list of native plant species have been identified with biologist and we are working towards planting appropriate species within the 15-m setback to help promote natural ecosystem. Replanting activities will have the biggest positive impact bordering the high water mark;
• Oriented in a logical and unobtrusive manner which takes into account shoreline navigation, prevailing wind, tidal action, water depth and shoreline topography;
• Remains sensitive to views and impacts on neighbours' and public viewpoints to the water;
• Does not unduly interfere with the navigation of the foreshore or of deep water channels, particularly in coves and other narrow water bodies;
• Does not impact the character of the neighbourhood or unduly affect the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties or of the foreshore. The proposed design has taken into consideration height, massing and orientation of the neighbouring docks, and conforms to the form and character of adjacent properties;
• Does not extend more than 25m from the natural boundary, with careful consideration of the scale and shoreline conditions of the property; and
• Refurbished dock will contribute to the property value of the property and thereby the neighbourhood.