Address gaps

Existing gaps in Zoning Bylaw regulations can lead to incompatible land uses, unreasonable impacts on neighbouring properties or life safety deficiencies. Zoning Bylaw gaps can also result in loopholes that can be taken advantage of at the expense of neighbourhood or community planning intentions. In some areas, appropriate existing land uses are not paired with the relevant zoning creating problematic non-conforming situations. Finally, parking regulations in a number of situations are lacking key elements and require updating.

The following issues will be considered as part of the Zoning Bylaw Update:

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Address gaps

• Add missing regulations

  Missing basic zone elements can lead to incompatible land uses, unreasonable impacts on neighbouring properties or life safety deficiencies. 

  Examples include zones that are missing basic regulations such as:

  • Minimum frontage widths;
  • Minimum lot sizes;
  • Standard regulatory provisions pertaining to permitted uses.

• Address regulatory weaknesses

  Loopholes can be taken advantage of at the expense of neighbourhood or community planning intentions.  Examples include accessory dwelling unit regulations in relation to:

  • Caretaker dwelling units, and
  • Accessory residential units.

• Promote life safety

  Regulatory gaps can result in life safety issues. Opportunities to improve life safety include:

  • Ensuring appropriate regulations around proximity of eaves on adjacent buildings, and
  • Consideration or proximity to and protection from rail lines.

• Zone for existing uses

  In some areas, appropriate existing land uses are not paired with the relevant zoning creating problematic non-conforming situations or land uses that have poorly defined regulatory controls.

  Examples include:

  • Private residential land that is zoned as park;
  • Zones are applied to properties without any associated regulations or details in the bylaw;
  • Zoning boundaries that do not match lot lines due to historical mapping inaccuracies;
  • Existing land uses that are not permitted in the bylaw due to oversight and existing permitted uses such as campgrounds that warrant specific regulations but which are not included.

• Parking regulations update

  Parking regulations in a number of situations are lacking key elements and require updating.

  Examples include:

  • Adding parking requirements for uses where they are missing;
  • Clarifying visitor parking requirements in the downtown area;
  • Defining and regulating tandem parking;
  • Modifying parking stall requirements to reflect a mix of sizes; and
  • Creating lighting requirements for parking areas.

• Specific amendments under consideration:

  Category	Description
  Add Missing Regulations	Ensure CD zones include basic zoning provisions.
  	Add a minimum frontage width for panhandle subdivision.
  	Add minimum lot sizes to I-3 zone.
  	Add maximum number of beds/guests permitted at a bed and breakfast.
  	Specify I-3 Permitted Use "Industrial" is "subject to conditions of use 35.3" within zone.
  Address Regulatory Weaknesses	Correct Legal Reference for Paco Road Parcel in I-10 Zone section 39C.11 Correct PID for 2543 Mamquam Road is 030-271-703.
  	Clean up Accessory Residential Dwelling in RL-2 and RE.
  	Remove "Accessory Dwelling Unit" from Maximum Height Section in all zones. OR remove restriction on 6.7 m only on Accessory Dwelling Unit w garage
  	Prohibit ADU on a property that has a caretaker suite
  	Clarify that RL-2 Zone does not permit both an Accessory Dwelling Unit and an Accessory Residential Unit on larger lots.
  	Prohibit breezeways from circumventing secondary suite intentions.
  	Consider if caretaker dwelling units are legitimate
  	Increase minimum interior side setbacks for RL-1 and RL-2 lots less than 0.8 hectares in size.
  	Address inappropriate application of building forms/densities as permitted use.
  Add Missing Regulations	Add density limits to commercial and industrial zones which lack them.
  Address Regulatory Weaknesses	Correct Interpretation Section regarding 'minimum site size'.
  Promote Life Safety	Increased setbacks and berms along railways.
  	Limit eave to eave proximity for fire safety considerations.
  Zone for Existing Uses	Add regulations for RS-2A which were lost in development of Bylaw 2200.
  	Define campground use, including what is and is not included.
  	Add cemetery as a permitted use for the specific municipal cemetery parcel.
  	Add Liquor Store as a site specific permitted use for existing locations.
  	Rezone 1004 McNamee Place from R-4 to RM-3.
  	Rezone 38415 Westway Avenue to RS-1.
  	Resolve split-zoning historical mapping discrepancies.
  	Terminate Land Use Contracts (mandatory by June 30, 2024). Established zoning by June 30, 2022.
  Address  Parking Regulation Gaps	Add parking requirements for Child Care Facility.
  	Add minimum industrial parking standard to Downtown parking.
  	Develop regulations for parking garages.
  	Clarify visitor parking requirement for residential downtown parking.
  	Clarify the number of spaces required for persons with disabilities when more than 170  spaces are required.
  	Clarify that off-street loading area shall not be located within required front or side yard setback.
  	Clarify regulations which maintain off street parking visibility.
  Modify Parking Regulations	Create a definition for Tandem Parking and consider the suitability of this parking style.
  	Change restaurant parking requirements from "per seat" to "per gross floor area".
  	Update multi-family development parking requirements with proper driveways and garages for Squamish vehicles.
  	Consider modifying parking stall size to increase the standard size and reduce the small size stall. Increase number of small size stalled permitted.
  	Revise parking lighting regulations.
  	Consider shared use of off-street loading requirements between different uses.
  	Consider a maximum number of commercial vehicles of any type that can be parked in a residential zone property.