Highlights of the presentation include:
- Subject property is located in the Bartley North Neighbourhood;
- Approximately 9.87 acres and has a single detached dwelling, riding stable and agricultural use (chickens and horses). A 60' x 80' prefabricated steel building in north/east of the property;
- Property is zoned Agricultural (A1) with a Land Use Designation of Agricultural and Resource Land;
- Surrounding uses include: Rural Residential Small Parcel Zone (RU2) and Agricultural Zone (A1);
- Proposal is a site-specific text amendment to allow vehicle and equipment storage in an Agricultural Zone (A1) on approximately 1 acre of the subject property;
- Rational includes new location for Approved Services company equipment is required as current lease is ended and cannot be renewed. Subject property has lots of space;
- Referred to various internal departments and external agencies - no concerns identified at this time;
- Vehicle and equipment storage in the A1 Zone is currently limited to 4 vehicles/equipment, 300m2 of parcel coverage, and 15m setbacks from rear and interior property lines or streams;
- The Site-Specific Zoning Bylaw Amendment application is for approximately 18+ vehicles/equipment, in an area approximately 1 acre in size, with an interior setback less than 15m.
Questions from the Commission for staff on the presentation:
- Is the maximum number of vehicles that can be stored outside of farm use vehicles? 4 vehicles maximum not including the vehicles used for the farm;
- The application states 18+ vehicles, is there a maximum number of vehicles that can be stored on the property? A limit could be set as part of the application but that has not been determined at this time;
- This application is owners use for specific reason however is there anything to prevent this from becoming a commercial storage venture for other people? Equipment storage for other people would be a separate use (commercial storage) under the Zoning Bylaw and is not permitted in the current zone.
Owners of Approved Services Steve, Colleen and Alex Richardson spoke to the Commission and were available for questions
- Family business looking for a local place to park equipment because Industrial land is hard to find;
- Property is owned by the family;
- Not looking to store other peoples equipment;
- Equipment is hardly ever there
- Trucks are parked in the garage
- Something son can take over that is viable;
- Emergency Response contractor for City of West Kelowna that must be available within 30 minutes - Kelowna would not be a feasible option;
- Application included letters of support from neighbours;
- Security cameras on building which provides a sense of security to the neighbourhood.
Questions from the Commission for the applicant:
- Lease is not going to be renewed is there a reason? Property manager wants to develop the land;
- Built shed with permit. Own 18 vehicles however 10 go home with staff and equipment goes from site to site. Hydrovac equipment needs to be stored indoors in the winter.
- Machines would be stored in the building? Some will be stored behind the building and some would be inside if/when needed. Most machines go from site to site.
Highlights of the Commissions discussion include:
- Suggestion to include a vehicle limit on site;
- Should this be a zoning or a temporary use permit for a 3 year term with opportunity for renewal?;
- Lots of support from the neighbours;
- Finding storage is difficult as long as it doesn't turn into a business of storage;
- Hardship for industrial property, if approved, applicant could go forward as a heavy use property;
- Suggestion for a limit of 25 vehicles to avoid growth without having to come back for approval;
- Demonstrated as a long term benefit with community support;
- Amendment is for a set area of 1 acre of the property to be used.
Lailey Wallace, President for Strata on Lens Road spoke to the Commission
- Strata Council did not approve giving an approval letter at Monday's meeting;
- Traffic of heavy use equipment has tripled in the neighbourhood;
- Road would have to be repaved and widened to accommodate their equipment;
- More traffic up and down the road would not be approved from their Strata Council.
Questions from the Commission for staff:
- Are roads viable for this type of zoning change? Application was referred to Development Engineering department no comments were received regarding the roads.