Oak Bay kicked off its residential infill strategy planning process during a council meeting June 22.
Proceeding with the infill housing planning process ultimately provides documentation to evaluate and guide infill housing opportunities within the community. It’s a start in the work required to implement the new OCP approved by council last September.
Under Community Framework, the OCP speaks to establishing parameters for infill housing forms that respond to the needs of residents over time. It also includes a commitment to make provisions for infill housing within the short term – completed within one to three years.
Coun. Eric Zhelka found the steps premature.
“I feel the public needs more input on these terms of reference,” he said.
Staff and fellow councillors noted that the process would be flexible and allow room later in the process for public input.
The residential infill planning process is anticipated to take about a year and would address infill housing options for the Established Neighbourhoods designation of the OCP.
The planned process consists of five phases and would be followed by district staff, with review and guidance from the Advisory Planning Commission set to start up in the fall. Phases include concepts and design principles to development of a final residential infill strategy presented to council for consideration with opportunities for public consultation throughout. Those plans include open houses, a design charrette and surveys.
Zhelka opposed the motion to start the infill guideline process.