Secondary suites are set to replace infill on Oak Bay’s priorities list for official community plan implementation.
In spring 2016, Oak Bay began engaging the community on potential development of a Residential Infill Strategy with a view to new housing options and forms, and potential to establish regulations for portions of existing housing.
With a diverse response, council sought the advice of the Advisory Planning Commission, which dissected the topic over the course of four meetings.
The APC recommended council regulate secondary suites and consider developing zoning appropriate for existing legal nonconforming duplexes while the APC initiates a housing strategy for Oak Bay.
The recommendation was based in part on work during the OCP renewal process, on policies contained in that OCP approved in 2014, and from recent infill strategy responses.
The APC also felt it would serve the community to revisit the context, history and general direction for development of a housing strategy and infill options that came from that OCP process.
“We have a responsibility as a local government to ensure the health and safety of our residents,” said Coun. Michelle Kirby. “As a community I think we’ve fallen behind.”
She added a way to achieve that and build some consensus among the community, is to start the conversation.
“I think it’s time we move with existing suites,” said Coun. Tom Croft. “Out of the existing will flow overarching policy. … It’s time we dealt with what we have here, make it regulated.”
Mayor Nils Jensen said Oak Bay looked at working on secondary suites seven or eight years ago.
“Now is the time we have the community support. We have the advice of our APC … this is imminently supportable,” he said.
Coun. Kevin Murdoch would prefer to determine and designate where in the community densification should occur before deciding how that would happen.
“The big picture is the place to start,” he said, suggesting that would get more “buy in” from the community. “This is backwards, we’re setting our sights very low.”
“What we should do first should be a more fulsome look,” Coun. Hazel Braithwaite agreed.
Coun. Eric Zhelka also agreed, adding regulations exist – secondary suites are not allowed under Oak Bay’s bylaws.
Coun. Tara Ney argued it’s clear from the official community plan review process that the community wants this direction.
“The OCP survey provided us with information from the community,” Ney said. “There’s a lot of people who are relying on that income for supplementing their housing.”
Braithwaite, Murdoch and Zhelka opposed the motion to shift into secondary suites.
Council will revisit its strategic priorities for 2017 and 2018 during budget discussions set for March 15, April 12 and April 19 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at 2167 Oak Bay Ave.
Visit oakbay.ca a few days ahead of each meeting for agendas.