Editor:
White Rock’s new Zoning Bylaw 2000, being introduced for very specific West Beach commercial properties that front Marine Drive, is flawed and concerns local residents.
The bylaw will allow four-storey buildings to be built without any first-floor commercial component. Taking the commercial requirement out allows properties like the Ocean Beach Hotel to build a structure out of character with adjacent properties.
As well, the new bylaw doesn’t correct the very contentious issue of natural grade versus existing grade.
The current natural-grade method using the land elevations from 80 years ago to calculate building height is seriously flawed. The topography has changed. This has resulted in one new building being 21 feet higher than it should be and compromising the views of longtime residents. This is not fair.
The mayor, council and city planner are all on record as saying the new Bylaw 2000 zone CR-3 is more restrictive to developers than the old CR-2. But that is simply not the case and can be easily seen by anyone by comparing – online if you wish – the two zones.
As legally required, a public hearing was called to allow the citizens of White Rock to voice any questions or concerns about the new bylaw (West Beach residents seek bylaw change, March 28).
There was a huge voicing of disapproval on this particular zoning, but there seems to be a disconnect or lack of concern by the present-day council to address the concerns of the residents and protect their interests.
A feeble attempt to justify the new bylaw was made by applying their new bylaw using a 30-year-old existing structure. This was totally irrelevant to our concerns about future buildings.
Instead, we encouraged them to use a real building proposal application in front of them that demonstrates our concerns exactly and shows the negative effect it will have on existing residents’ properties. So far they have refused.
So we are confused. Why not make the simple changes to the bylaw we requested to protect the citizens of White Rock?
R. Mennear, White Rock