Increase Zoning Flexibility

In certain areas, the zoning regulations are overly restrictive without providing significant benefit to the community. These restrictions can frustrate the public, impair the maximum potential of land use and create a burden on staff and Council through repeated variance applications.

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

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Increase zoning flexibility

• Expand permitted uses

  Permitted uses in a number of zones will be considered for expansion in order to provide opportunities for a broader range of employment and recreational activities. Examples include:

  • Permitting personal service establishment in a broader range of commercial zones;
  • Permitting one commissary kitchen use in all restaurant kitchens;
  • Permitting commercial and residential with separated entrances on the same floor of multifamily developments;
  • Permitting celebratory event as a permitted use to appropriate zones.

• Relax regulations

  Regulations do not provide benefit to the community and restrict land use will be considered for amendment. Examples include:

  • Permitting below grade steps and steps leading to rear or side decks as projections into interior side setbacks;
  • Allowing awnings as projections into setbacks;
  • Permitting more accessory buildings on P-2 parcels;
  • Replacing the limit on number of accessory buildings with a limit on the total gross floor area of accessory buildings.
    

   

• Specific amendments under consideration

  Category	Description
  Expand Permitted Uses	Expand permitted commercial uses in CD zones, referencing existing commercial zones for permitted uses.
  	Amend CD-43 to permit more commercial uses as per C-4 or C-10.
  	Include fitness training, personal trainer and yoga studio in 'Personal Service' definition.
  	Add 'rental' to definition of Auto-Oriented Commercial.
  	Permit personal service establishment in a broader range of commercial zones.
  	Permit one commissary kitchen use in all restaurant kitchens.
  	Include private schools such as an ESL school, in business office, major definition.
  	Consider permitting accessory retail sales in P-3 zone.
  	Permit commercial and residential on same floor of multifamily  developments if entrances are separated.
  	Change P-3 the intent statement to encompass private ownership.
  	Consider including some brand-related tourist recreation activities in a broader range of zones or in all zones.
  	Change restaurant definition to reference the parcel rather than the premise.
  	Add celebratory event as a permitted use to appropriate zones.
  Relax Regulations	Permit below grade steps as projections into interior side setbacks.
  	Allow awnings as projections into setbacks.
  	Permit steps down from rear or side decks etc. to project into side yard setbacks.
  	Permit more accessory buildings on P-2 parcels.
  	Increase the maximum buildable area for accessory structures on RL-2 properties.
  	Do not require the corner visibility triangle to extend upward above first floor.
  	Remove inappropriate  map schedules and form and character elements from CD zones.
  	Reduce RS-1 setbacks for 33 ft. wide lots.
  	Replace limit on number of accessory buildings with a limit on the total gross floor area of accessory buildings.