CITY OF VICTORIA EXPANDED SECONDARY SUITE POLICY WORKSHOP September 2006

WORKSHOP OUTLINE WORKSHOP OUTLINE  1.0 Introduction  2.0. Key Questions  3.0. Issues  4.0. Choices  5.0. Discussion  6.0. Next Steps

INTRODUCTION Workshop Purpose  Discuss proposed secondary suite recommendations  Focus on Key Questions: What/Where/Why/How?

KEY QUESTIONS What? Allow Secondary Suites meeting certain criteria: In single family dwellings in the R1-A, R1-B, and R-2 zones In single family dwellings in the R1-A, R1-B, and R-2 zones Not small lot single zones or duplexes. Not small lot single zones or duplexes.

KEY QUESTIONS What?  Allow in Houses built before 2001  No added parking stall related to secondary suite required Note: Secondary suites are already allowed in Pre-1970 houses if certain conditions are met throughout the City as well as Gonzales where they are allowed in houses of any age if conditions are met.

Where? Residential Zones Affected by the Proposed Secondary Suite Policy Expansion

KEY QUESTIONS Why?  Expands potential supply of modest ground-oriented housing to address different household needs  Addresses life and safety issues for residents  Enables more households to reside in neighbourhoods with limited change in built form and character

KEY QUESTIONS Why?  Makes better use of existing community services  Recycles existing buildings  Enables legalization of an illegal suite

Key Questions How? Proposed zoning bylaw amendments Proposed zoning bylaw amendments Proposed new licensing Proposed new licensing Enforcement approach Enforcement approach Monitoring and review/refinement Monitoring and review/refinement

KEY ISSUES  Objectives of policy - approved regional, municipal and corporate plans and strategies  Relationship to neighbourhood plans - consistent with policies for “Areas of Greatest Stability”  “City-wide” vs. neighbourhood approach - best practices: clarity, fairness and scope

KEY ISSUES Harmonization with existing zoning, conversion guidelines, small lot zoning Harmonization with existing zoning, conversion guidelines, small lot zoning - fits with existing zoning and conversion regulations as well as guidelines Demolition and inappropriate new houses Demolition and inappropriate new houses - unintended consequences monitored - choices based on land values and building costs Enforcement and complaints Enforcement and complaints - multiple suites vs. secondary suites

CHOICES CHOICES Parking Recommendation Remove on-site parking requirement for a secondary suite  YES  NO

CHOICES CHOICES Dwelling Unit Age Recommendations Amend dwelling construction date requirement to 2001  YES  NO Report every 5 years to recommend construction date adjustment (coinciding with census)  YES  NO Retain 5-year wait period before permitting a secondary suite in existing houses with major alterations  YES  NO

CHOICES CHOICES Licensing Recommendation Amend the Business License Bylaw for residential rental buildings including secondary suites  YES  NO

CHOICES CHOICES Enforcement Recommendations By November 2, The Regulatory Services Division present recommendations as follow: To address suites (secondary and multiple) constructed/altered without permits (building, electrical, plumbing) or not located in appropriate land use zones To develop a general awareness campaign on enforcement issues with the community specifically addressing the protocol for existing and future secondary suites

OPTIONS OPTIONSA Accept staff recommendations of June 2006, including convening a statutory public hearing for amendments to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw No B Extend the project’s consultation/information phase, including: Convening a non-statutory public hearing Convening a non-statutory public hearing Conducting a statistically-valid survey Conducting a statistically-valid survey Providing more public information Providing more public information C Defer further consideration of secondary suites report and direct staff to prepare a report on further studies suggested with an estimate of resources, time frames, and implications for other planning priorities D Decide no further action and continue status quo of considering individual site rezoning applications

OPTION A OPTION AA Accept staff recommendations of June 2006, including convening a statutory public hearing for amendments to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw No Necessary Next Steps… 1 If choose to accept staff recommendations, additional finance and staff resources will be necessary 2 The City Solicitors be instructed to prepare necessary bylaw amendments of the zoning section and that these be forwarded for consideration at a public hearing 3 Upon adoption of all bylaw amendments, staff in Community Development, Planning, Regulatory Services, and Finance revise all pertinent changes to public-related materials

Requirements Current Policy Current Gonzales Policy Proposed Policy Expansion House Size Floor space > 150 m 2 (1,615 ft 2 ) Ceiling height ≥ 2.13 m (7 ft) SameSame Exterior Changes 1.No additions before & after conversion 2.Allow doors/windows on façade not facing street SameSame Parking On-site: 1 additional space accessed independently No Requirement Dwelling Unit Age Built Pre-1970 No Age Restriction Built Prior to 2001 adjustments every 5 years LicensingN/AN/A $100 Base Fee* with Consequential Amendment to Bylaw *including Gonzales Enforcement Complaint Basis Complaint Basis / Possible Proactive Enforcement OVERVIEW: SECONDARY SUITE POLICY COMPARISON OVERVIEW: SECONDARY SUITE POLICY COMPARISON

BACKGROUND  Housing strategies  Gonzales secondary suites experience to date  Definition of a secondary suite

HOUSING STRATEGIES HOUSING STRATEGIES Capital Regional District ObjectivesActions 1. Regional Growth Strategy Building Complete Communities To achieve a wider choice of affordable housing types Establish municipal targets through desired development guidelines The ground oriented housing target for Victoria is the provision of an additional 3500 units by 2026 Improve Housing Affordability To increase residential densities Accommodate 15% (minimum) of the region’s cumulative new dwelling units within Victoria to Regional Housing Affordability Strategy (RHAS) Strategy 2 To establish pro-affordability policies and regulations across the region REGULATORY: Permit greater densification, inclusionary zoning, and secondary suites

HOUSING STRATEGIES HOUSING STRATEGIES City of Victoria ObjectivesActions 3. Official Community Plan: Toward An Affordable Housing Community Affordable Housing To provide renters with affordable rental housing & a choice of rental accommodation types The City should… Promote the safety and security of housing Relax regulatory controls as a creative approach to provide affordable housing Diversity of Housing Options To encourage conservation of established family housing within neighbourhoods The City should… Sustain a mix of housing types to meet the changing demands of the population Promote rehabilitation & maintenance of existing family housing 4. Neighbourhood Plans Residential Policies To retain residential character to allow for some change in “areas of greatest stability” Currently, support and permit conversions (including secondary suites) 5. Building Code Housing To increase affordable rental housing stock Relax Building Code provisions to enable secondary suites

HOUSING STRATEGIES HOUSING STRATEGIES City of Victoria ObjectivesActions 4. Corporate Strategic Plan (2004) Goal 2 Enhance the Quality of Life for all Citizens of Victoria Develop a Comprehensive Housing Strategy Develop a Secondary Suites Policy Other Efforts to date: Support from Housing Advisory Committee (January, 2004) Support from Housing Advisory Committee (January, 2004) Committee of the Whole (March, 2005) Committee of the Whole (March, 2005) Open House (June, 2005) Open House (June, 2005) Consultant Report to Committee (June, 2006) Consultant Report to Committee (June, 2006) Workshop (August, 2006) Workshop (August, 2006) Strategies Define targets for types of housing needed Expand the Secondary Suites Policy to ensure an adequate supply of safe and affordable housing options for residents Align the City’s Housing Plan with the CRD’s Regional Housing Strategy (RHS) Identify appropriate incentives for development

WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOOD SINCE NOVEMBER 2003 Type of Construction No. of Properties Demolition / Replacement with Secondary Suite2 Conversion to Include Secondary Suite15 Total New Secondary Suites 17

257 Richmond Road GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOOD NEW SFD WITH SECONDARY SUITE Secondary Suite Information Year Constructed (House & Suite): 2006 Total Floor Area: 51.7 m 2 (556 ft 2 )

1852 Crescent Road GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOOD EXISTING SFD WITH SECONDARY SUITE Secondary Suite Information Year Constructed: 2005 Total Floor Area: 72.4 m 2 (779 ft 2 )

GONZALES NEIGHBOURHOOD SECONDARY SUITE LIVING ROOM LAUNDRY ROOM BEDROOM KITCHEN

DEFINITION DEFINITION How is a Secondary Suite Defined: A special type of suite permitted in a A special type of suite permitted in a single family dwelling The suite can be up to 40% of habitable floor area or a maximum of 90 m 2 (970 ft 2 ) The suite can be up to 40% of habitable floor area or a maximum of 90 m 2 (970 ft 2 ) be strata-titled Cannot be strata-titled Safety and construction aspects regulated through special provisions in the Building Code Safety and construction aspects regulated through special provisions in the Building Code Ceiling height, fire separation, and sound control Ceiling height, fire separation, and sound control

DEFINITION DEFINITION A SECONDARY SUITE IS… IS… IS NOT… IS NOT…  The suite can be up to 40% of habitable floor area or a maximum of 90 m 2 (970 ft 2 )  A unit in a townhouse / apartment  A duplex, triplex, 4plex, etc.  Rooming and/or boarding houses  A strata-titled unit  A small lot single family dwelling