2017 04 18 Business Plan Update Development Services
Committee Report to BIN DATE:
April 10, 2017
TO:
Budget and Infrastructure Committee
FROM:
Smart Growth Committee
SUBJECT:
2017/18 BUSINESS PLAN UPDATE (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (Smart Growth Committee meeting March 30, 2017)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY At its March 30th meeting, the Smart Growth Committee reviewed its work program for 2017/18 and has proposed that the Business Plans for the Development Services Department be amended in order to provide for timely consideration of two significant items, underground wiring and tandem parking. Staff advise that they have prepared a report and presentation on each of these topics to ensure Committee has detailed information to support consideration of this report’s recommendations. If BIN accepts the requested amendment, the Business Plans included in the 2017/18 Financial Plan would be updated. If the Business Plans are amended, SGC also wishes to obtain feedback from all members of Council on the steps to be taken to address the issues. A number of options are identified to provide for further consideration of changes to our current regulation of tandem parking and underground wiring. RECOMMENDATIONS SGC recommends to BIN 1. That the Business Plans included in the 2017/2018 Financial Plan for the Development Services Department be amended as follows: a) to amend the Development Engineering Division’s Business Plan to include underground wiring policy and regulations review as a major activity to be undertaken in Q2/Q3;
April 12, 2017 SGC Report to BIN re Changing Business Plans for Underground Wiring and Tandem Parking Page 2
b) to change the timeframe to update the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw from 2017 Q4 (initiation) to 2018 Q1 in the Development Engineering Division’s Business Plan c) to amend the Planning Division’s Business Plan to add tandem parking regulations review as a major activity to be undertaken in Q2/Q3; d) to change the timeframe to initiate community consultation for the OCP update from Q2 to Q4 in the Planning Division’s Business Plan; and, e) to adjust all subsequent timeframes for the OCP update by two quarters. If this recommendation is approved, then SGC further requests 2. That direction be provided on the scope of work to be included as part of the underground wiring and tandem parking reviews. BACKGROUND & COMMENTS: The 2017-2018 Financial Plan includes the Business Plans for the Administration, Building, Development Engineering and Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Prior to completion of the Financial Plan, the deliverables of each of these plans were assessed to ensure they would contribute to Council’s priorities of Infrastructure, Community Recreation Complex and Livable Community, provide for compliance with new legislation and promote efficiencies in day-to-day operations to reduce costs and/or provide better service. As explained in the Financial Plan, the initiatives focus on work that extends beyond the day-to-day operations. Since the Financial Plan was drafted in late 2016, two high priority development issues have emerged that SGC wishes to be resolved, underground wiring and tandem parking. At the SGC meeting held March 30, 2017, the Committee reviewed a list of work plan items established pursuant to the 2017/18 Financial Plan, a list of unscheduled items identified by SGC and Council but not captured in the Business Plans, and updated information related to provincial and federal requirements. Staff also outlined their concern that a number of developments currently in process are impacting time available for project work, resulting in their inability to accommodate review of the issues without an adjustment to the approved work program. Following discussion, the Committee determined it would support extending the timeframe for the OCP update to accommodate timely consideration of the underground wiring and tandem parking issues. SGC further requested that all members of Council be provided with an opportunity to set a direction on how the issues will be addressed. Staff have prepared the attached reports and will be making presentations to ensure BIN has detailed information on the topics. Triage forms have also been completed for each of the items to assist in BIN’s deliberations.
April 12, 2017 SGC Report to BIN re Changing Business Plans for Underground Wiring and Tandem Parking Page 3
Business Plan Amendment Options: BIN may: (1) Approve amending the Business Plans of the Development Services Department to provide for review of underground wiring policy and regulations and tandem parking regulations in Q2/Q3 and extending the timeframe for the OCP update by a period of six months. This option is recommended by SGC to provide for timely consideration of the significant issues before any further development occurs. (2) Advise SGC that it does not endorse amending the Business Plans of the Development Services Department. This option would mean that the review of underground wiring would continue to be integrated with the long-delayed replacement of the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw, currently scheduled to be initiated in 2017 and completed in 2018. It would also mean that review of tandem parking would be identified as a project to be implemented after completion of the OCP update. If BIN approves the recommendation to amend the Business Plans, then SGC seeks further direction on the scope of work to be undertaken to address the issues and the attached background reports were prepared to provide for an understanding of these issues. Two basic options are outlined: the first anticipates Council wishes to proceed directly with implementing bylaw amendments; the second provides for a community consultation process prior to Council’s consideration of any bylaw amendments. Underground Wiring Options: (1) Request SGC bring forward a report that would allow Council to proceed directly with implementation of a new requirement that provision for underground wiring be made in all, or some, areas currently serviced with overhead wiring in addition to the current requirement for the Downtown. This direction would entail a determination of where underground wiring should be required as, for example, Council may wish to require underground wiring only for higher density developments in specified areas or it may wish to require undergrounding along certain streets, including those with single family homes, such as for aesthetic purposes. This report would also identify bylaw amendments required to implement the direction. (2) As in Option (1), but prior to bringing forward a report to Council request that SGC include a process of consulting with the development community and residents to obtain their feedback on the potential costs and benefits of a revised policy. This process could include identification of priority streets or areas where the community may wish to obtain implementation of underground wiring and consideration of other measures that may be taken to address the identified issues.
April 12, 2017 SGC Report to BIN re Changing Business Plans for Underground Wiring and Tandem Parking Page 4
Tandem Parking Options (1) Request that SGC bring forward a report that would allow Council to proceed directly with an amendment to parking regulations to restrict, or prohibit, tandem parking. This amendment would substantially impact the ability of developers to provide for townhouses within the community. If selected, Council may also wish to consider adoption of a policy setting out conditions under which it may be prepared to issue a variance to the restriction. (2) As in Option (1), but before bringing forward any recommendations for a change to the parking bylaw, provide for consultation with the development community and residents to obtain their feedback on the potential impacts of such a change and consideration of other measures that may be taken to address identified issues.
Submitted by Laura Lee Richard, Director of Development Services on behalf of the Smart Growth Committee Attachments: Appendix 1: Underground Wiring Background Report Appendix 2: Underground Wiring: Triage Form Appendix 3: Tandem Parking Background Report Appendix 4: Tandem Parking: Triage Form
April 10, 2017
TO:
Budget and Infrastructure Committee
FROM:
Smart Growth Committee
SUBJECT:
2017/18 BUSINESS PLAN UPDATE (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (Smart Growth Committee meeting March 30, 2017)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY At its March 30th meeting, the Smart Growth Committee reviewed its work program for 2017/18 and has proposed that the Business Plans for the Development Services Department be amended in order to provide for timely consideration of two significant items, underground wiring and tandem parking. Staff advise that they have prepared a report and presentation on each of these topics to ensure Committee has detailed information to support consideration of this report’s recommendations. If BIN accepts the requested amendment, the Business Plans included in the 2017/18 Financial Plan would be updated. If the Business Plans are amended, SGC also wishes to obtain feedback from all members of Council on the steps to be taken to address the issues. A number of options are identified to provide for further consideration of changes to our current regulation of tandem parking and underground wiring. RECOMMENDATIONS SGC recommends to BIN 1. That the Business Plans included in the 2017/2018 Financial Plan for the Development Services Department be amended as follows: a) to amend the Development Engineering Division’s Business Plan to include underground wiring policy and regulations review as a major activity to be undertaken in Q2/Q3;
April 12, 2017 SGC Report to BIN re Changing Business Plans for Underground Wiring and Tandem Parking Page 2
b) to change the timeframe to update the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw from 2017 Q4 (initiation) to 2018 Q1 in the Development Engineering Division’s Business Plan c) to amend the Planning Division’s Business Plan to add tandem parking regulations review as a major activity to be undertaken in Q2/Q3; d) to change the timeframe to initiate community consultation for the OCP update from Q2 to Q4 in the Planning Division’s Business Plan; and, e) to adjust all subsequent timeframes for the OCP update by two quarters. If this recommendation is approved, then SGC further requests 2. That direction be provided on the scope of work to be included as part of the underground wiring and tandem parking reviews. BACKGROUND & COMMENTS: The 2017-2018 Financial Plan includes the Business Plans for the Administration, Building, Development Engineering and Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Prior to completion of the Financial Plan, the deliverables of each of these plans were assessed to ensure they would contribute to Council’s priorities of Infrastructure, Community Recreation Complex and Livable Community, provide for compliance with new legislation and promote efficiencies in day-to-day operations to reduce costs and/or provide better service. As explained in the Financial Plan, the initiatives focus on work that extends beyond the day-to-day operations. Since the Financial Plan was drafted in late 2016, two high priority development issues have emerged that SGC wishes to be resolved, underground wiring and tandem parking. At the SGC meeting held March 30, 2017, the Committee reviewed a list of work plan items established pursuant to the 2017/18 Financial Plan, a list of unscheduled items identified by SGC and Council but not captured in the Business Plans, and updated information related to provincial and federal requirements. Staff also outlined their concern that a number of developments currently in process are impacting time available for project work, resulting in their inability to accommodate review of the issues without an adjustment to the approved work program. Following discussion, the Committee determined it would support extending the timeframe for the OCP update to accommodate timely consideration of the underground wiring and tandem parking issues. SGC further requested that all members of Council be provided with an opportunity to set a direction on how the issues will be addressed. Staff have prepared the attached reports and will be making presentations to ensure BIN has detailed information on the topics. Triage forms have also been completed for each of the items to assist in BIN’s deliberations.
April 12, 2017 SGC Report to BIN re Changing Business Plans for Underground Wiring and Tandem Parking Page 3
Business Plan Amendment Options: BIN may: (1) Approve amending the Business Plans of the Development Services Department to provide for review of underground wiring policy and regulations and tandem parking regulations in Q2/Q3 and extending the timeframe for the OCP update by a period of six months. This option is recommended by SGC to provide for timely consideration of the significant issues before any further development occurs. (2) Advise SGC that it does not endorse amending the Business Plans of the Development Services Department. This option would mean that the review of underground wiring would continue to be integrated with the long-delayed replacement of the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw, currently scheduled to be initiated in 2017 and completed in 2018. It would also mean that review of tandem parking would be identified as a project to be implemented after completion of the OCP update. If BIN approves the recommendation to amend the Business Plans, then SGC seeks further direction on the scope of work to be undertaken to address the issues and the attached background reports were prepared to provide for an understanding of these issues. Two basic options are outlined: the first anticipates Council wishes to proceed directly with implementing bylaw amendments; the second provides for a community consultation process prior to Council’s consideration of any bylaw amendments. Underground Wiring Options: (1) Request SGC bring forward a report that would allow Council to proceed directly with implementation of a new requirement that provision for underground wiring be made in all, or some, areas currently serviced with overhead wiring in addition to the current requirement for the Downtown. This direction would entail a determination of where underground wiring should be required as, for example, Council may wish to require underground wiring only for higher density developments in specified areas or it may wish to require undergrounding along certain streets, including those with single family homes, such as for aesthetic purposes. This report would also identify bylaw amendments required to implement the direction. (2) As in Option (1), but prior to bringing forward a report to Council request that SGC include a process of consulting with the development community and residents to obtain their feedback on the potential costs and benefits of a revised policy. This process could include identification of priority streets or areas where the community may wish to obtain implementation of underground wiring and consideration of other measures that may be taken to address the identified issues.
April 12, 2017 SGC Report to BIN re Changing Business Plans for Underground Wiring and Tandem Parking Page 4
Tandem Parking Options (1) Request that SGC bring forward a report that would allow Council to proceed directly with an amendment to parking regulations to restrict, or prohibit, tandem parking. This amendment would substantially impact the ability of developers to provide for townhouses within the community. If selected, Council may also wish to consider adoption of a policy setting out conditions under which it may be prepared to issue a variance to the restriction. (2) As in Option (1), but before bringing forward any recommendations for a change to the parking bylaw, provide for consultation with the development community and residents to obtain their feedback on the potential impacts of such a change and consideration of other measures that may be taken to address identified issues.
Submitted by Laura Lee Richard, Director of Development Services on behalf of the Smart Growth Committee Attachments: Appendix 1: Underground Wiring Background Report Appendix 2: Underground Wiring: Triage Form Appendix 3: Tandem Parking Background Report Appendix 4: Tandem Parking: Triage Form
