City staff have an option to address concerns about infill housing in the Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), required under provincial housing legislation.
A new future land use designation called Core Area - Heritage District (C-HER) is part of a report on small-scale, multi-unit housing going to council on Apr. 22.
The designation allows up to four residential units on a single-family lot and 鈥渆ncourages preservation of existing homes with character-defining features through Heritage Revitalization Agreements.鈥�
鈥淭his is considered the minimum density approach to satisfy the legislation requirements, acknowledging that heritage conservation areas are not exempt from small-scale residential density requirements,鈥� the report states.
New developments and alterations will be overseen by HCA guidelines, including updates this spring and summer, and will be covered in a separate report to council.
Infill development in 麻豆精选鈥檚 HCA has upset residents and caused debate among councillors with some asking for a public hearing on the issue, or refusing the province鈥檚 wishes.
READ MORE: 鈥楶layground bully鈥�: Councillor Hodge pushes back on housing legislation
The report also addresses Transit-Oriented Development Areas, which in 麻豆精选, are 400 metres within of a transit hub. The city has been assigned four areas by the province:
- Rutland bus exchange
- Okanagan College bus exchange
- Orchard Park Mall bus exchange
- Hospital (KGH) bus exchange
The provincial minimum for developments in these areas is 10 storeys, however, there is a six-story cap for buildings around the hospital exchange due to the flight path of helicopters to and from the KGH campus.
鈥淭he City of 麻豆精选 is in a very advantageous position as the 2040 OCP approach had foresight and vision to signal a progressive growth strategy that is well poised to accommodate infill housing in terms of policy direction and the early introduction of Infill Options 1.0,鈥� the report concludes.
READ MORE: High-density housing draws families to 麻豆精选
