Zoning Regulation Bylaw Improvements
The City of Victoria is proposing improvements to the current Zoning Regulation Bylaw with the goal to make the bylaw regulations easier to follow and understand. The proposed improvements are focused on the following areas:
1. Core Low Density Residential Zones, including:
· R1-A Zone, Rockland Single Family Dwelling District
· R1-B Zone, Single Family Dwelling District
· R1-G Zone, Gonzales Single Family Dwelling District
· R-2 Zone, Two Family Dwelling District
2. Accessory Building Regulations for Low Density Residential Zones
3. Schedule A – Definitions
Following the presentation of the proposed improvements to Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee on May 20, 2010, staff were directed to hold a public open house at City Hall to share information and receive input from the public about the proposed zoning improvements.
The Zoning Regulation Bylaw Improvement Project public open house is scheduled as follows:
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Victoria City Hall, Council Chambers
1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC
Please share this information with members of your association. We look forward to your input.
Earlier this week a letter and a binder were sent containing information including:
- three staff reports to Council, describing the project
- proposed revised zones (R1-B, R1-A, R1-G, R-2)
- proposed new schedules (accessory building, secondary suite, panhandle lot and house conversion
- proposed improvements to Schedule A - Definitions
We would kindly ask that the Community Association Land Use Committee members review the proposed improvements to the bylaw. In addition, please make this information available to the members of your association.
For more information related to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw Improvement Project visit www.victoria.ca and click on What’s New?
Questions or comments related to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw Improvement Project can be directed to Jarret Matanowitsch, Senior Planner at jmatanowitsch@victoria.ca or 250.381.0282.
Mega-yacht Marina Proposal
A marina for mega yachts is proposed for the inner harbour on the Songhees water lots. A link to the developer's site can be found here. You can also visit save victoria harbour which outlines community opposition to the project. To view the letter written by the City of Victoria to the Province of BC, click here.
Johnson Street Bridge ("the blue bridge")
The required number of citizens signed a petition in favour of having a referendum on the bridge replacement project and presented it to counsel on January 7. Counsel has committed to taking this issue to referendum at an as yet undetermined time. For more information please see the links below.
City counsel voted last year in favour of replacing the 1928 bridge, citing seismic and structural concerns. For more information click here.
Community members have concerns that the process to move ahead with the bridge is flawed, that there are alternatives, and that Victorians need more of an opportunity to offer input. Click here for more information.
The case for trying two lanes on the Johnson St Bridge
There are also traffic management concerns such as traffic approaches, movement of bicycles and pedestrians, and traffic calming for entry into the community of Victoria West.
Update re the Vic West Y
January 11, 2010
Since the announcement by the
YWCA of Greater Victoria to suspend operations at the Vic West Y the Community
Association Board is, with the support of the City, undertaking a feasibility
study regarding operating the facility as a community centre. We are, with the
assistance of a consultant, gathering information about financing, programming
and operations of other like organizations in addition to the current
operations of the Y. Facility condition and ongoing upkeep/maintenance will
also form part of the review.
As part of our information
gathering we will be holding a couple of community meetings over January &
February to hear some initial thoughts from the community on what they think
should be offered if it were a community centre.
The Board is operating under
a very tight time line as we must present the results of the feasibility study
to the City by the end of February.
Jo-Ann Youmans,
President
A message to the
Victoria West community
Dec 3, 2009
Since 1979, the
YMCA-YWCA has operated in the Vic West Community as part of a three party
agreement with the City of Victoria and the Vic West Community Association. On
December 1 the Y gave notice to the City and the Association that
the Y would be withdrawing from the agreement at the end of June 2010.
The decision to
withdraw from the agreement was an operational decision made by the Y believing
that both the needs of the community and the community itself has changed
significantly since the three party agreement was first struck. The decision
creates new opportunity for the community of Victoria West.In the New Year the
Association will work with the support of the City, and a consultant, to
consider options for future services and programs for the community; and,
whether they can feasibly be delivered in the Vic West Y building.
The
Association believes in public consultation in planning decisions that will
impact the Vic West community and will provide opportunities for community
members to be involved in the planning processFor parents and
community members who have been impacted by the announced changes, the
Association acknowledges the difficulties that change brings. We look forward
to having your support and input as we plan for the future of the Victoria West
building.
