CITY OF VICTORIACITY OF VICTORIAEXPANDED SECONDARY SUITE EXPANDED SECONDARY SUITE POLICY WORKSHOPPOLICY WORKSHOP

September 2006September 2006

WORKSHOP OUTLINEWORKSHOP OUTLINE

1.0 Introduction1.0 Introduction 2.0. Key Questions2.0. Key Questions 3.0. Issues3.0. Issues 4.0. Choices4.0. Choices 5.0. Discussion5.0. Discussion 6.0. Next Steps6.0. Next Steps

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Workshop PurposeWorkshop Purpose

Discuss proposed secondary suite Discuss proposed secondary suite recommendationsrecommendations

Focus on Key Questions: Focus on Key Questions: What/Where/Why/How?What/Where/Why/How?

KEY QUESTIONSKEY QUESTIONS

What?What?Allow Secondary Suites meeting Allow Secondary Suites meeting certain criteria:certain criteria:

• In single family dwellings in the R1-A, R1-In single family dwellings in the R1-A, R1-B, and R-2 zonesB, and R-2 zones

• Not small lot single zones or duplexes.Not small lot single zones or duplexes.

KEY QUESTIONSKEY QUESTIONS

What?What?

Allow in Houses built before 2001Allow in Houses built before 2001 No added parking stall related to No added parking stall related to

secondary suite requiredsecondary suite required

Note: Note: Secondary suites are already allowed in Pre-1970 Secondary suites are already allowed in Pre-1970 houses if houses if certain conditions are met throughout the City certain conditions are met throughout the City as well as as well as Gonzales where they are allowed in houses of Gonzales where they are allowed in houses of any age if any age if conditions are met. conditions are met.

Where?Where? Residential Zones Affected by the Proposed Residential Zones Affected by the Proposed

Secondary Suite Policy ExpansionSecondary Suite Policy Expansion

KEY QUESTIONSKEY QUESTIONS

Why?Why? Expands potential supply of modest Expands potential supply of modest

ground-oriented housing to address ground-oriented housing to address different household needsdifferent household needs

Addresses life and safety issues for Addresses life and safety issues for residentsresidents

Enables more households to reside in Enables more households to reside in neighbourhoods with limited change neighbourhoods with limited change in built form and characterin built form and character

KEY QUESTIONSKEY QUESTIONS

Why?Why? Makes better use of existing community Makes better use of existing community

servicesservices Recycles existing buildingsRecycles existing buildings Enables legalization of an illegal suiteEnables legalization of an illegal suite

Key QuestionsKey Questions

How?How? Proposed zoning bylaw amendmentsProposed zoning bylaw amendments Proposed new licensingProposed new licensing Enforcement approachEnforcement approach Monitoring and review/refinementMonitoring and review/refinement

KEY ISSUESKEY ISSUES

Objectives of policyObjectives of policy

-- approved regional, municipal and corporate plans and approved regional, municipal and corporate plans and strategiesstrategies

Relationship to neighbourhood plansRelationship to neighbourhood plans

- consistent with policies for “Areas of Greatest Stability” - consistent with policies for “Areas of Greatest Stability”

““City-wide” vs. neighbourhood City-wide” vs. neighbourhood approachapproach

-- best practices: clarity, fairness and scope best practices: clarity, fairness and scope

KEY ISSUESKEY ISSUES

Harmonization with existing zoning, conversion Harmonization with existing zoning, conversion guidelines, small lot zoningguidelines, small lot zoning

- fits with existing zoning and conversion regulations as well - fits with existing zoning and conversion regulations as well as guidelines as guidelines

Demolition and inappropriate new housesDemolition and inappropriate new houses

- - unintended consequences monitoredunintended consequences monitored- choices based on land values and building costs - choices based on land values and building costs

Enforcement and complaintsEnforcement and complaints- - multiple suites vs. secondary suitesmultiple suites vs. secondary suites

CHOICESCHOICES

Parking RecommendationParking Recommendation

Remove on-site parking requirement for a Remove on-site parking requirement for a secondary suitesecondary suite

YESYES NONO

CHOICESCHOICES

Dwelling Unit Age RecommendationsDwelling Unit Age Recommendations

Amend dwelling construction date requirement to 2001 Amend dwelling construction date requirement to 2001 YESYES NONO

Report every 5 years to recommend construction date Report every 5 years to recommend construction date adjustment (coinciding with census)adjustment (coinciding with census)

YESYES NONO

Retain 5-year wait period before permitting a secondary Retain 5-year wait period before permitting a secondary suite in existing houses with major alterationssuite in existing houses with major alterations

YESYES NONO

CHOICESCHOICES

Licensing RecommendationLicensing Recommendation

Amend the Business License Bylaw for Amend the Business License Bylaw for residential rental buildings including secondary residential rental buildings including secondary suitessuites

YESYES NONO

CHOICESCHOICES

Enforcement RecommendationsEnforcement Recommendations

By November 2, 2006 - The Regulatory Services Division present By November 2, 2006 - The Regulatory Services Division present recommendations as follow:recommendations as follow:

To address suites (secondary and multiple) constructed/altered To address suites (secondary and multiple) constructed/altered without permits (building, electrical, plumbing) or not located in without permits (building, electrical, plumbing) or not located in appropriate land use zonesappropriate land use zones

To develop a general awareness campaign on enforcement issues To develop a general awareness campaign on enforcement issues with the community specifically addressing the protocol for with the community specifically addressing the protocol for existing and future secondary suitesexisting and future secondary suites

OPTIONSOPTIONS

AAAccept staff recommendations of June 2006, including Accept staff recommendations of June 2006, including convening a statutory public hearing for amendments to the convening a statutory public hearing for amendments to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw No. 80-159Zoning Regulation Bylaw No. 80-159

BBExtend the project’s consultation/information phase, including:Extend the project’s consultation/information phase, including:• Convening a non-statutory public hearingConvening a non-statutory public hearing• Conducting a statistically-valid surveyConducting a statistically-valid survey• Providing more public informationProviding more public information

CCDefer further consideration of secondary suites report and direct Defer further consideration of secondary suites report and direct staff to prepare a report on further studies suggested with an staff to prepare a report on further studies suggested with an estimate of resources, time frames, and implications for other estimate of resources, time frames, and implications for other planning prioritiesplanning priorities

DD Decide no further action and continue Decide no further action and continue status quostatus quo of considering of considering individual site rezoning applicationsindividual site rezoning applications

OPTION AOPTION A

AAAccept staff recommendations of June 2006, including convening a Accept staff recommendations of June 2006, including convening a statutory public hearing for amendments to the statutory public hearing for amendments to the Zoning Regulation Zoning Regulation Bylaw No. 80-159Bylaw No. 80-159

Necessary Next Steps…Necessary Next Steps…

11 If choose to accept staff recommendations, additional finance and If choose to accept staff recommendations, additional finance and staff resources will be necessarystaff resources will be necessary

22The City Solicitors be instructed to prepare necessary bylaw The City Solicitors be instructed to prepare necessary bylaw amendments of the zoning section and that these be forwarded for amendments of the zoning section and that these be forwarded for consideration at a public hearingconsideration at a public hearing

33Upon adoption of all bylaw amendments, staff in Community Upon adoption of all bylaw amendments, staff in Community Development, Planning, Regulatory Services, and Finance revise all Development, Planning, Regulatory Services, and Finance revise all pertinent changes to public-related materialspertinent changes to public-related materials

RequiremenRequirementsts Current PolicyCurrent Policy

Current Current Gonzales Gonzales

PolicyPolicy

Proposed Proposed Policy Policy

ExpansionExpansion

House SizeHouse Size

Floor space Floor space > > 150 m150 m22 (1,615 (1,615 ftft22))

Ceiling height Ceiling height ≥ 2.13 m (7 ≥ 2.13 m (7 ft)ft)

SameSame SameSame

Exterior Exterior ChangesChanges

1.1. No additions before & No additions before & after conversionafter conversion

2.2. Allow doors/windows on Allow doors/windows on façade not facing streetfaçade not facing street

SameSame SameSame

ParkingParking On-site: 1 additional space On-site: 1 additional space accessed independentlyaccessed independently

No No RequirementRequirement

No RequirementNo Requirement

Dwelling Unit Dwelling Unit AgeAge

Built Pre-1970Built Pre-1970 No Age No Age RestrictionRestriction

Built Prior to 2001 Built Prior to 2001 adjustments every adjustments every

5 years5 years

LicensingLicensing N/AN/A N/AN/A

$100 Base Fee* $100 Base Fee* with Consequential with Consequential

Amendment to Amendment to BylawBylaw

*including Gonzales*including Gonzales

EnforcementEnforcement Complaint BasisComplaint Basis Complaint Complaint BasisBasis

Complaint Basis / Complaint Basis / Possible Proactive Possible Proactive

EnforcementEnforcement

OVERVIEW: OVERVIEW: SECONDARY SUITE POLICY COMPARISONSECONDARY SUITE POLICY COMPARISON

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Housing strategiesHousing strategies Gonzales secondary suites experience Gonzales secondary suites experience

to dateto date Definition of a secondary suiteDefinition of a secondary suite

HOUSING STRATEGIESHOUSING STRATEGIES

Capital Regional District

Objectives Actions

1. Regional Growth Strategy1. Regional Growth Strategy

Building Complete Building Complete CommunitiesCommunities

To achieve a wider choice of To achieve a wider choice of affordable housing typesaffordable housing types

Establish municipal targets Establish municipal targets through desired development through desired development guidelinesguidelines

The ground oriented housing The ground oriented housing target for Victoria is the target for Victoria is the provision of an additional 3500 provision of an additional 3500 units by 2026units by 2026

Improve Housing Improve Housing AffordabilityAffordability

To increase residential To increase residential densitiesdensities

Accommodate 15% (minimum) Accommodate 15% (minimum) of the region’s cumulative new of the region’s cumulative new dwelling units within Victoria to dwelling units within Victoria to 20262026

2. Regional Housing Affordability Strategy (RHAS)2. Regional Housing Affordability Strategy (RHAS)

Strategy 2Strategy 2To establish pro-affordability To establish pro-affordability policies and regulations across policies and regulations across the regionthe region

REGULATORY: Permit greater REGULATORY: Permit greater densification, inclusionary densification, inclusionary zoning, and secondary suiteszoning, and secondary suites

HOUSING STRATEGIESHOUSING STRATEGIESCity of VictoriaCity of Victoria Objectives Actions

3. Official Community Plan: Toward An Affordable Housing Community3. Official Community Plan: Toward An Affordable Housing Community

Affordable Affordable HousingHousing

To provide renters with To provide renters with affordable rental housing & a affordable rental housing & a choice of rental choice of rental accommodation typesaccommodation types

The City should…The City should…

Promote the safety and security of Promote the safety and security of housinghousing

Relax regulatory controls as a Relax regulatory controls as a creative approach to provide creative approach to provide affordable housingaffordable housing

Diversity of Diversity of Housing OptionsHousing Options

To encourage conservation of To encourage conservation of established family housing established family housing within neighbourhoodswithin neighbourhoods

The City should…The City should…

Sustain a mix of housing types to Sustain a mix of housing types to meet the changing demands of the meet the changing demands of the populationpopulation

Promote rehabilitation & Promote rehabilitation & maintenance of existing family maintenance of existing family housinghousing

4. Neighbourhood Plans4. Neighbourhood Plans

Residential Residential PoliciesPolicies

To retain residential character To retain residential character to allow for some change in to allow for some change in “areas of greatest stability”“areas of greatest stability”

Currently, support and permit Currently, support and permit conversions (including secondary conversions (including secondary suites)suites)

5. Building Code5. Building Code

HousingHousing To increase affordable rental To increase affordable rental housing stockhousing stock

Relax Building Code provisions to Relax Building Code provisions to enable secondary suitesenable secondary suites

HOUSING STRATEGIESHOUSING STRATEGIES

City of VictoriaCity of Victoria Objectives Actions

4. Corporate Strategic Plan (2004)4. Corporate Strategic Plan (2004)

Goal 2Goal 2

Enhance the Enhance the Quality of Life for Quality of Life for all Citizens of all Citizens of VictoriaVictoria

Develop a Comprehensive Develop a Comprehensive Housing StrategyHousing Strategy

Develop a Secondary Suites Develop a Secondary Suites PolicyPolicy

Other Efforts to date:Other Efforts to date: Support from Housing Support from Housing

Advisory Committee Advisory Committee (January, 2004)(January, 2004)

Committee of the Whole Committee of the Whole (March, 2005) (March, 2005)

Open House (June, 2005)Open House (June, 2005) Consultant Report to Consultant Report to

Committee (June, 2006)Committee (June, 2006) Workshop (August, 2006)Workshop (August, 2006)

Strategies

Define targets for types of Define targets for types of housing neededhousing needed

Expand the Secondary Suites Expand the Secondary Suites Policy to ensure an adequate Policy to ensure an adequate supply of safe and affordable supply of safe and affordable housing options for residentshousing options for residents

Align the City’s Housing Plan Align the City’s Housing Plan with the CRD’s Regional with the CRD’s Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)Housing Strategy (RHS)

Identify appropriate incentives Identify appropriate incentives for developmentfor development

WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOOD WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOOD SINCE NOVEMBER 2003SINCE NOVEMBER 2003

88%12%

Type of ConstructionNo. of

Properties

Demolition / Replacement with Secondary Suite 2

Conversion to Include Secondary Suite 15

Total New Secondary SuitesTotal New Secondary Suites 1717

257 Richmond Road

GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOODGONZALES NEIGHBOURHOODNEW SFD WITH SECONDARY SUITENEW SFD WITH SECONDARY SUITE

Secondary Suite InformationYear Constructed (House & Suite): 2006Total Floor Area: 51.7 m2 (556 ft2)

1852 Crescent Road

GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOODGONZALES NEIGHBOURHOODEXISTING SFD WITH SECONDARY SUITEEXISTING SFD WITH SECONDARY SUITE

Secondary Suite InformationYear Constructed: 2005Total Floor Area: 72.4 m2 (779 ft2)

GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOODGONZALES NEIGHBOURHOODSECONDARY SUITESECONDARY SUITE

LIVING ROOM

LAUNDRY ROOMBEDROOM

KITCHEN