This document is a critical land use regulation and it is important for the community to be aware of the significant changes proposed and to have the opportunity to comment," said Mayor Greg Gardner.

Since January of 2010, the District of Squamish has been working to revise its Zoning Bylaw, addressing one of Council’s top priorities. The current Zoning Bylaw is over 15 years old and has had numerous amendments since its adoption in 1995. Since that time, related documents such as the British Columbia Building Code have evolved and been amended and new technologies exist today that were not contemplated in 1995.

The revision efforts, which included involvement from consultants, the community at large, local area stakeholders and Council, placed an emphasis on improving the clarity and consistency of the Bylaw in order to make the District’s regulations that govern development more user-friendly. A Smart Growth on the Ground community, the District of Squamish has established a progressive policy base to serve as a strong foundation for the new Bylaw. This revitalized regulatory document will in turn support the implementation of the community’s sustainability principles. While many new regulations have been added to the Zoning Bylaw (with some expanding and others limiting what was permitted under the former Bylaw), the revision of the Bylaw will not include the rezoning of any lands to different or new zones.

It is anticipated that the changes proposed will have a positive impact on residents and homeowners, building professionals, construction contractors, and neighbours. To help inform the community of some of the significant changes set out in the new Zoning Bylaw, an overview has been provided below.

Measuring the Height of Buildings and Structures
As the basis for any development, the proposed new revisions are intended to provide consistency and clarity in terms of interpreting grade and height measurements, and to encourage development that is sensitive to the District’s varied terrain. Specifically, the proposed changes involve the consideration of a set of newly defined height datum points on hillside sites, grading plans for developments requiring subdivision and the crown of adjacent roads for sites in the Flood Plain.

Calculating Gross Floor Area
In determining gross floor area, new additions to the Bylaw being proposed are intended to clarify how gross floor area is calculated, as well as encourage more energy efficient buildings. These include partial exemptions for exterior cladding and exterior solid wall systems that provide improved exterior insulation or weather protection. As well, stairwells, unenclosed balconies, unenclosed decks, unenclosed patios, and unenclosed porches, and the portion of the basement that is below the determined height datum are also excluded from the GFA calculation.

Parking
Zoning Bylaws typically set out minimum requirements for the number of parking spaces every land use needs to provide at the time of development. While various approaches were considered for Squamish’s Downtown area during the drafting of the new Bylaw, including a 0 vehicle space requirement for non-residential uses, the new Bylaw maintains the existing Downtown area requirement of 2 spaces per 100 sq. m. of non-residential floor space. The new Bylaw will relax the maximum number of spaces that can be provided through a payment in lieu of on-site parking provision along the Cleveland Avenue Corridor. In terms of ongoing work by the District, District staff will be reviewing the District’s policy on the quantum of the payment-in-lieu requirement.

District wide, the new Bylaw will include requirements for the provision of bicycle parking spaces in both multi-unit residential and non-residential developments.

Landscaping
The new Zoning Bylaw establishes requirements for the landscaping of properties and parking lots in Squamish. Specifically, the new changes will focus on addressing stormwater management issues. A few of the newly proposed changes include requirements for residential zoned properties to be a minimum of 30% fully landscaped, protection of existing landscape and natural vegetation areas, and the provision of permeable/porous surfacing for parking lots. Materials can include open-jointed pavers, turf/gravel grids, porous concrete/ asphalt or interlocking paving stones. As well, the new Bylaw establishes specific height or calliper requirements for newly planted trees and the provision of a certain number of trees per parking space to be provided in a parking lot. The provision of light-coloured/high albedo materials with a reflectance of at least 0.3 is also required to help reduce heat island effects. In terms of retaining walls, the new Zoning Bylaw sets out a reduced height maximum of 1.2 m on retaining walls (exceptions include those required as a condition of subdivision approval).

Secondary Suites and Coach Houses
The new Bylaw brings the maximum size of a secondary suite contained within a typical residential home to be in line with the requirements of the BC Building Code. As well, during the construction of a new home, provisions have been added that permit the development of a detached secondary suite prior to the completion of the primary dwelling. The height for detached secondary suites was also decreased to 6m (20 ft.) to help preserve the privacy of adjacent yards.

Solar Technology Regulations
The new Bylaw provides regulations for the placement of solar panels and/or collectors, to create greater flexibility for the accommodation of such systems. Respect for existing views was also considered in the drafting of these new provisions. In particular, in residential neighbourhoods, limits were developed to prevent such systems from projecting above the ridge line of the roof of the building. 

Urban Agriculture
A new definition and regulations are proposed to reflect the District’s policy aspirations with respect to permitting the growing of food on any lot. In addition to produce grown in a garden, urban agriculture may include fruit and nut tree production. Of note, the definition of urban agriculture maintains the existing regulations which prohibit the keeping of poultry, fowl or bees. The definition also maintains the restriction on the sale of food from residentially zoned lots.

Copies of the proposed Bylaw are available for viewing at Community Services located off the lobby of Municipal Hall. Anyone interested in learning more about the proposed bylaw or wanting to make comment is invited to attend the Public Hearing.

For more information on the new District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw, contact Chris Bishop, Acting Manager Planning and Building 604.815.4966 or cbishop [at] squamish [dot] ca.