Staff Report: Town Initiated OCP and Zoning Amendments for Parks
Report recommending rezoning and OCP designation changes for several newly dedicated or overlooked parklands.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
COUNCIL REPORT
TO: Council DATE: May 10, 2012 FROM: James Davison, MCIP MEETING DATE: May 15, 2012
Town Initiated OCP and Zoning Amendments for Parks
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council direct Staff to prepare the necessary Land Use Bylaw Amendment Bylaws to rezone the following lands as P-3 (Park and Recreation):
- Craigflower Creek Park
- 1930 Valley View Place
- 285 Glenairlie Drive (Glenairlie Park)
- 1215 Stancil Lane (Welland Park)
AND THAT Council direct Staff to prepare the necessary Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaws to redesignate the following lands as P (Parks, Open Space and Recreation) on Schedule L:
- 1930 Valley View Place
- 1215 Stancil Lane (Welland Park)
- Wilfert Park
- Northwest portion of Thetis Lake Park
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES’ COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
As part of our regular cycle of bylaw housekeeping, staff have identified a number of pieces of parkland that have either been dedicated in the last 6 months, or overlooked until now, and require rezoning and the proper OCP designation. Additionally, staff has identified a designation error in Schedule L within the Official Community Plan for Wilfert Park, and four contiguous parcels within Thetis Lake Park that are also inappropriately designated. Council endorsement of this report will initiate the rezoning and OCP amendment process to address these matters.
BACKGROUND:
As part of most subdivision and rezoning applications, it is common for lands to be dedicated for park purposes. These lands are usually dedicated on the plan of subdivision and may not immediately be recognized by appropriate zoning and OCP land use designations. This inconsistency may lead to confusion about the status of the land and the public’s ability to access it.
Regarding the Schedule L error within the OCP for Wilfert Park, it is a technical error in the GIS mapping process which was overlooked and needs to be corrected.
The Thetis Lake dedication is for four CRD-owned parcels in the northwest portion of the park that are zoned P-7 (Regional Park Use) but are designated as RU (Rural) within the OCP. This has been a designation that carried over from the previous OCP and staff believes it was merely overlooked until now. A P-7 (Regional Park Use) rezoning from P-4 (Public Use) for these parcels was completed in 2011.
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Properties which require rezoning (LUB)
Staff has identified these pieces of parkland which require rezoning. The parcels are illustrated in the attachments.
Craigflower Creek Park This CRD-owned park is identified as ‘PARK’ within plans VIP46109 and VIP47028. It is currently of ambiguous zoning but is bound by R-1 (One Family Residential – Large Lot) and R-1A (One Family Residential) zoning. This appears to be a simple omission/error that has not been corrected.
1930 Valley View Place This park is currently zoned R-1A (One Family Residential) but is identified as ‘PARK’ on plan VIP63292. It functions as a portion of a greenway between two cul-de-sacs.
1215 Stancil Lane (Welland Park) This park was dedicated through the subdivision process in 2011 and requires a rezoning. It is currently zoned R-1A (One Family Residential). It links Burnside Rd and Knockan Hill Park to the north with the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Glenairlie Park This park is identified on plan VIP35238 as ‘PARK’ and has been labeled and functioning as a park and maintained by the Town but is currently under provincial crown ownership (ILMB). In advance of this re-zoning the province will need to be consulted to determine their interest.
Properties which require re-designating (OCP)
Staff has identified these pieces of parkland which require re-designation. The parcels are illustrated in the attachments.
1930 Valley View Place As per the rezoning as described above, the property requires re-designation to P (Parks, Open Space and Recreation) to be consistent with the existing and desired use, and the proposed rezoning to P-3.
1215 Stancil Lane (Welland Park) As per the rezoning as described above, the property requires re-designation to P (Parks, Open Space and Recreation) to be consistent with the existing and desired use, and the proposed rezoning to P-3.
Wilfert Park This Town-owned park is currently zoned P-3 and was designated as ‘Neighbourhood Mixed Use’ in error on Schedule L of the OCP. It requires redesignation to P (Parks, Open Space and Recreation) to be consistent with the existing and desired use, and the existing zoning.
Northwest portion of Thetis Lake Park This CRD-owned portion of Thetis Lake Park is zoned P-7 but currently has a RU (rural) designation in Schedule L of the OCP. Rural (RU) is described in the OCP as such:
Rural – agricultural, recreation and large lot residential up to two storeys at a density of one unit per 10 hectares.
As this is a regional park, staff believes that a P (Parks, Open Space and Recreation) designation is more appropriate. The current RU designation was carried over from the previous OCP and staff believes it was merely overlooked until now. A P-7 (Regional Park Use) rezoning from P-4 (Public Use) for these parcels was completed in 2011.
As required by the Local Government Act, the OCP land use designation and the zoning should be consistent. These changes are consistent with existing OCP policies that support additional parkland being created within the Town.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
There are no direct implications associated with rezoning beyond the costs of advertising and public notification, including newspaper advertisements. Staff note however that increased parkland does require additional maintenance and long range planning work.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The proposed Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw amendments are consistent with existing policy in the OCP that supports the creation of additional parkland.
SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
Additional parkland in the Town supports environmental and social sustainability objectives by protecting valuable natural areas and providing green space for passive recreation. The rezoning of 1215 Stancil Lane aids in better securing a pedestrian linkage, and supporting the Town’s alternative transportation goals.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
If Council does not wish to consider the proposed amendments an appropriate alternative recommendation would be:
THAT this report be received for information.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council direct Staff to prepare the necessary Land Use Bylaw Amendment Bylaws to rezone the following lands as P-3 (Park and Recreation):
- Craigflower Creek Park
- 1930 Valley View Place
- 285 Glenairlie Drive (Glenairlie Park)
- 1215 Stancil Lane (Welland Park)
AND THAT Council direct Staff to prepare the necessary Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaws to redesignate the following lands as P (Parks, Open Space and Recreation):
- 1930 Valley View Place
- 1215 Stancil Lane (Welland Park)
- Wilfert Park
- Northwest portion of Thetis Lake Park
SUBMITTED BY: James Davison, MCIP, Planning Technician
REVIEWED BY: Lindsay Chase, MCIP, Director of Development Services
Attachments:
- Subject Property Map - Craigflower Creek Park
- Subject Property Map – 1930 Valley View Place
- Subject Property Map – Glenairlie Park
- Subject Property Map – Welland Park
- Subject Property Map – Wilfert Park
- Subject Property Map – Portions of Thetis Lake Regional Park
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