Please comment:

A Proposal for a Housing Infill Development Permit for British Columbia Municipalities
September 3rd, 1996

We are concerned with a method of maintaining the character of existing neighbourhoods. Bylaws provide the necessary parameters for new development, but the character of neighbourhoods is often challenged by infill housing. New infill housing may meet the technical requirements of the Bylaws, yet too often the new houses are perceived by the neighbours as inappropriate or as 'monster houses'. People affected by infill housing should have the opportunity to comment before the new infill housing is built. The current problem appears to be that neighbours are not aware of any difficulties until after construction.

Therefore, we are proposing a type of Development Permit for new infill housing:

1. The Infill Development Permit would be applicable to all new single family construction. The existing Bylaws regarding density, site coverage, building height, etc., would still apply. [the intent is to provide a strategy for neighbours to monitor the expressionof the Bylaw parameters]

2. The Infill Development Permit would be applicable in all single family residential neighbourhoods with the exception of recent subdivision or re-zoning bylaw areas. [the intent is to distinguish between recent subdivisions and older neighbourhoods]

3. An Infill Development Permit would be required if a proposed addition to a house is to exceed 30% of its existing floor area. [a proposed addition may be within the Bylaw envelope, but the intent is to distinguish between small additions and larger additions that could significantly impact a neighbourhood]

4. The property owner would apply for an Infill Development Permit prior to applying for a Building Permit. The owner would pay a fee to cover municipal processing costs, erect a sign on the property [identifying the intended change], and provide the Building Department with a technical and graphic information package -- floor plans, a context plan and elevations, etc., showing adjacent dwellings. [the intent is for the owner to hire a consultant to follow municipal guidelines in the preparation of an information package that would allow neighbours to understand the proposed development.

5. The Building Department would then notify the nearby neighbours by registered letter. Also enclosed would be the information package and a request for a written response within 15 days.

6. The Building Department would receive the letters and either issue an Infill Development Permit or convene a meeting between the owner and neighbours to resolve any concerns.

7. If the owner and the neighbours are unable to resolve their differences, then outstanding issues would be resolved by a Board of Variance that would have final authority.

8. The estimated cost to the owner would be $2700 for the Infill Development Permit, manufacturing and placement of a sign on the property, the information package prepared by a consultant and a meeting convened by the Building Department to resolve disputes between the owner and neighbours, if required.