NATURE

Sea, land, river

PEOPLES

Community

1 Award to Pt Henry Crew

2 Variance 1949 Graham ‘city breaking the law’

Later

1 Condemn Building

2 Compare with Terrace etc

For earlier materials see Table of Contents

Weird Council meeting	All show – no substance
	Is Council irrelevant?

Honouring Pt Henry Crew

For a rescue dating on 27December 2004; Les asked if he was given an award that the whole Pt Henry Crew also be recognized, William Robb, Mark Brown & Lawrence Brown

We had to wait outside about 10 minutes because ‘in-camera’ meeting had not ended

In contrast—the public meeting lasted only an hour

Agenda for public amounted to award presentation and a zoning variation request --- plus condemning a derelict house

	Objections to Variance permit
	The fellow asking for the variance said he had just moved to PR to be Engineer for Port; bought house at 1949 Graham Avenue and wanted to modify it ‘as just a plain box’ --- he presented model --- basically the area under yellow line would be added and it encroaches 2 feet into front yard set back --- the decks are OK --- + % coverage of building would exceeds by 4%

2 written objections

1969 sent a letter saying they objected, but not giving any reason – 1941 Graham said objected because their property value would be decreased and height of addition would shade her garden in winter

The matter was tabled so Council etc could view properties

1941 complains

Note how the elaborate entry stairs take up much of ‘front yard’ – as not ‘roofed’ doesn’t count – note too both 1941 and its neighbour have small additions in front of house (picture windows etc)

Note too the ‘garden’ already shaded by neighbors shrubbery

Welcome to Town

The young engineer asked that this not drag on – tentatively Thursday for resolution

Rupert is in the Wrong

Does Rupert have a Board of Variance (BoV)?

By legislation it has to if it has zoning by-laws—

In most jurisdictions this kind of matter would go to the BoV --- and not need to go the Development Variance Permit (Council) route of appeal

Some jurisdictions limit BoV appeals to ‘hardship’ (a rock cliff won’t allow proper setback example) --- most jurisdictions allow minor variances to go to BoV and one defines ‘Minor’ as exceeding by <40% etc

Bottom Line --- Council breaking provincial legislation --- should have gone to BoV – and after a site visit– (as here) would see that 1949 would conform (visually) to surrounding houses --- thus (in my opinion) should be allowed

Links Local Government Board of Variance and its page on Zoning etc

Examples White Rock -- Port Coquitlam -- District of Metchosin ---

Created by LG on April 11, 2007

Last updated on Thursday, April 12, 2007