White Rock council has given the thumbs-up to an omnibus bylaw that includes new regulations for operating vacation rentals in the city and building on West Beach.
The vote to move Bylaw 2000 forward does not, however, mean discussion on those matters is over.
In fact, Mayor Wayne Baldwin’s message to developers eyeing projects in the West Beach area was clear: “There will be no developments that will be allowed to go through until we deal with this.”
Bylaw 2000 updates and replaces Bylaw 1591, which was adopted in 1999; it also reflects changes to the city’s Official Community Plan.
In recommending support for final reading, director of development services Paul Stanton asked that staff be given time to research concerns raised by residents.
At a March 25 public hearing, bed-and-breakfast representatives expressed concern that the regulations prevent vacation rentals from running simultaneously with a B&B.
Three speakers told council of how they have businesses functioning with both and may have to close their doors if the new bylaw is passed as is.
In regards to the new CR-3 zone for West Beach, residents wanted changes to how building heights are determined; they asked the city to scrap the concept of measuring from natural grade in favour of existing grade.
Stanton told council Monday that addressing the latter issue is not as easy as simply swapping the two terms, a move he said could “create more problems than it solves.”
Stanton said the solution may involve creating a bylaw that says fill cannot be imported to elevate a lot; or, changing the building bylaw to require that existing-grade information by submitted before a development permit can be issued.
The new zone, he added, also tightens limits on density in the area.
“There are no immediate concerns with the adoption of the CR-3,” he said. “Give us a chance to study the options.”
Any suggested revisions will have to go to public hearing, he noted.
Regarding the bed-and-breakfast/vacation-rental issue, Stanton said the updated bylaw “is a step forward,” as it actually permits vacation rentals, which the former bylaw did not.
Further research is needed to determine, for example, if the city should consider site-specific zoning for property owners wanting to operate both, or if placing limits on the number of rooms and guests is the way to go, Stanton said.
“We will study the issue and come back with a recommendation,” he said.
While Coun. Helen Fathers suggested deferring the bylaw “until all of this is sorted out,” Coun. Larry Robinson said a decision to that effect “is just basically saying we can’t make a decision.”
Many other areas of city business will be stymied by further delay, he said.
Prior to voting in support of the bylaw, Coun. Al Campbell said it was “very, very important” to be clear that if the bylaw was passed, that “CR-3 is out… and there will be another public hearing.”
Council gave unanimous support to the bylaw.
Stanton said staff will report back on any refinements or revisions by June 19.