Clarification of proposed setback amendments
There are many technical changes to the Zoning Bylaw currently up for consideration with the goals of improving clarity, increasing flexibility and addressing gaps in the bylaw. Issues have been identified and tracked over a number of years of District staff working with the community and the current bylaw.
Council will have the opportunity to consider these amendments following the Public Hearing scheduled for this Tuesday, February 15 at 6 p.m.
Specifically, there are two proposed setback amendments that community members are discussing:
- Amend the rear setback on Multiple Unit Residential Zones (RM) zones from 9.15 metres to 6.0 metres.
- Amend a side setback for narrow lots in the RS-1 (single family) and RS-2 (duplex) zones that are a maximum of 10.06 metres/33 feet wide to allow for greater flexibility in replacing an existing home.
These proposed amendments do not increase density, which is defined and controlled by floor area ratios or the permitted number of dwellings.
These proposed amendments aim to do three things:
- Respond to challenges the District has seen over the last 3 to 5 years that property owners face when trying to build additions, secondary suites or new homes on their properties given the additional energy efficiency requirements established by the District through the progressive adoption of the Step Code. (The step code requirements are mandating construction of more energy efficient buildings. One of the most common ways to construct a more energy efficient building is through thicker wall assemblies, with more insulation. This requires buildings to be built right up to required setbacks and often results in smaller living space within the actual building).
- Facilitate larger balconies in townhouses and apartments to ensure new homes have appropriate outdoor living space.
- Modernize multifamily setbacks in certain zones, which are out of date with current zoning practices in B.C., as well as comparable setbacks in single family zones.
Below are additional details on each proposed setback amendment
Rear setbacks in RM zones
Revise the rear setback in Multiple Unit Residential Zones (RM) zones from 9.15 metres to 6.0 metres to bring in line with other similar townhouse zones, and allow for increased flexibility in project design while still maintaining a generous setback from the rear lot line. Refers to sections 10.6, 11.6 and 12.6 of the bylaw.
- These zones have the largest rear setback of any residential zone in Squamish at 9.15 metres.
- District staff have reviewed setbacks in other zones that allow townhouses in the District, as well as other municipalities, and found that the majority of these setbacks were 7.5 metres or less.
- Staff are recommending a 6.0 m rear setback in all RM zones to allow for increased flexibility for the design of future projects, while still maintaining a generous setback from the rear lot line.
The charts below provide some of the comparisons that have been reviewed in proposing this amendment:
Side setbacks on narrow RS lots
The proposed change will revise a side setback for narrow lots in the RS-1/RS-1A (single family) and RS-2 (duplex) zones that are a maximum of 10.06 metres/33 feet wide to allow for greater flexibility in replacing an existing home. Refers to sections 6.6, 7.6 and 8.6 of the bylaw.
- Setbacks for lots wider than 10.06 m/33 ft in RS-1, RS-1A and RS-2 are NOT being changed.
- The proposed setback change would see a 1.52 m (5 ft) setback for the narrower lots, as the current 2.13 m (7 ft) would make maintaining or replacing an existing home on such a narrow lot challenging.