Delta’s updated zoning bylaw is one step closer to being finalized.
Following approval of two amendments, civic politicians gave conditional approval to the bylaw last month.
The amendments will see the removal of a restriction on secondary suite parking in front yards and an increase in floor space allowed for accessory buildings – two items that were brought up by residents at a crowded January public hearing.
The bylaw will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval. Once that happens, it will come back to Delta council for final adoption.
Following a more than three-year comprehensive review and update of the zoning bylaw, council gave preliminary approval last December and referred it to a public hearing.
At the Jan. 30 hearing, which saw city hall in Ladner packed to capacity, residents raised concerns about secondary suite regulations, limits on accessory buildings, housing affordability, a cap on house sizes and minimum lot widths.
At a subsequent council meeting in early February, councillors asked staff to come back with a detailed report on possible amendments to address concerns.
“We believe that this combination of recommendations responds directly to the majority of the comments that were heard through the public hearing process,” explained director of community planning and development Marcy Sangret.
Besides the amendments, council approved several staff recommendations to address other issues raised at the hearing.
Staff will be reviewing the housing cap in North Delta, the agricultural zone and waterfront setbacks for Tsawwassen Beach properties and will be getting a legal opinion on regulations for exterior lighting and security surveillance equipment in residential areas.
Coun. Sylvia Bishop expressed several concerns about the housing cap.
“We heard from many, many residents at the public hearing about the housing cap and it was difficult to hear residents make comments alleging that such a housing cap is racist. None of us want to hear or be associated with that type of language,” said Bishop.
Sangret said staff would prepare an analysis of how many properties would benefit from the removal of the cap as well as some comparisons of similar properties in North Delta and South Delta.
Acting CAO Ken Kuntz said staff will have a full report in terms of the process for council consideration next month.
