A rarity for North Delta was approved by city council recently.
Final approval was granted for a rezoning application for three, single-detached residential lots in the 11000-block of 80A Avenue to subdivide them into five lots, each with an in-ground basement, a secondary suite and a coach home.
According to an earlier report from the planning department, while the lots would be the first in the area to be zoned for coach houses, changes were proposed in the Official Community Plan (OCP) update and the provincial requirements to permit coach houses and other forms of small-scale multi-unit housing in all residential areas.
The intent of the provincial small-scale multi-unit housing legislation is to enable additional housing opportunities on existing lots without subdivision application.
Since council granted preliminary approval, the new OCP document was also approved, which means an OCP amendment for the application was no longer required.
Council also met the provincial requirement of approving changes in the zoning bylaw to permit additional small-scale houses on single-family lots.
The planning department notes the proposal is in line with those recent policy changes to Delta's zoning bylaw, however, further analysis of small lot subdivision dimensions will be needed as part of the zoning changes.
The Ministry of Housing on Monday (Sept. 16) announced it has granted extensions to 21 B.C. local governments to provide them with more time to amend their zoning bylaws to permit small-scale housing and upgrade infrastructure for some, or all, of their community.
Seven requests for extensions were declined.
Local governments were required to make changes to zoning bylaws by June 30, 2024, to allow either a minimum of one secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling unit for lots, or a minimum of three-to-four dwelling units, or a minimum of six dwelling units near bus stops with frequent transit service, depending on location and population.
