King George Terrace proposal seeks property realignment
An old home on King George Terrace could make a short move if a plan for realigning its property line is approved.
“That particular home on that particular corner is quite iconic,” Pam Copley, co-chair of the Advisory Planning Commission, said last week.
The home straddles a property line on a double lot, with one lot unusually narrow. The homeowner hopes to move the property line and home, making the second lot usable for a second home. The applicant indicates the more than 100-year-old house would get a new foundation and a new roof.
The APC recommended approval of the proposed development that includes relocating the existing home on the south lot and constructing a new home on the north lot. APC members also encouraged the property owner investigate heritage designation, “so that it is kept an eye on if not legally protected,” Copley said.
Crescent lot rejigging
A Crescent Road property hopes to readjust lot lines in order to build a second home on the second lot.
The property is in two legal lots, with one that doesn’t currently meet minimum lot size requirements. An adjustment would create a larger lot that meets minimum size and makes the lot more usable. However variances would be needed for lot width and frontage, as well as for the building.
Proposed Lot A, would meet the minimum lot size requirements and retain the existing character home. A detached garage would be built in the rear yard, minimizing tree impacts and meeting the parking requirements for this lot.
Because of the small yard, Lot B would need a variance to the allowable paved surface. The applicant aims to alleviate impacts, using boulevard driveway access in essentially the same location as the existing driveway and a design to minimize paved surface and protect boulevard trees. An arborist report notes a series of protected Garry oak and cedar trees. One boulevard tree would be removed and replaced. Oak Bay staff say tree protection strategies would be required during construction.
The APC recommended approval of the proposed plans.
Second storey sought for Neil Street home
Oak Bay’s Advisory Planning Commission recommended approval last week for a plan to build a second storey over a portion of 2275 Neil St.
The proposed addition conforms with Oak Bay’s maximum permitted floor area for the property and all other setbacks excluding the front lot line. The second storey is sited to sit forward on the existing dwelling to retain natural lighting for the neighbour’s yard to the east. It has also been set back on both sides, meeting the minimum three-metre setback.