A proposal for eight homes pitched for Fifth Street in Sidney will have its day at the advisory planning commission (APC) table.
Sidney council heard the plan for four townhouses above four garden suites during its council meeting on July 15.
The proposal for 9667 Fifth St. is an early test under newly revamped rezoning bylaws, seeking five variances, outlined at the meeting by Niall Paltiel of Island View Land Management.
The application for the three-storey, multi-unit residential development seeks variances to:
- Increase the maximum building height from 9 m to 9.54 m;
- Increase the maximum number of storeys from 2.5 to 3;
- Increase the maximum height of stairs permitted to project into a front yard from 1.2 m to 1.95 m;
- Decrease the minimum interior side yard setback from 2 m to 1.38 m;
- Decrease the minimum parking space setback from 1 m to 0.8 m.
While staff recommended the proposal go to APC with revised plans that “comply with interior side yard setback requirements” council opted to leave it a little more open-ended simply seeking revised plans for the setbacks.
Coun. Chad Rintoul, who made the motion, said it provides the applicant time to revisit with staff and take a look at their approach that could comply in the end.
Paltiel earlier explained the side variances are attributed to a third-floor bump out, allowing for more bedroom space. The .54 m height variance allows for a gentle ramp to provide accessibility.
“I’m worried that in this case, given the layouts and the way they’ve had to squeeze parking and that shed on there in the first place is the eventuality we’ll be losing a bedroom,” Coun. Sara Duncan said. “That I think would be bit of a shame. I’m okay with what is essentially a ruler width on the side.”
Coun. Scott Garnett noted Sidney just went through the zoning process and policies such as two-metre setbacks exist for a reason.
“It’s important. Standing on the street right now even looking at the house to the north … this building is going to tower over it. Any distance we can pull back is better,” Garnett said.
Coun. Richard Novek split the difference, voicing concern over a brand new zoning bylaw and the first development looking for variances, as well as concerns over the lack of green space impacting livability.
“I’m really anxious to see what APC says, they have a way of getting to the crux of a matter," said Novek.
The next APC meeting is Aug. 6.
Find the full council agenda and meeting on line at sidney.civicweb.net/Portal.
