It was the final bit of backing down by the city after an overwhelmingly negative response by North Delta homeowners, but another contentious debate could be waiting for council.
Council has amended Delta’s new zoning bylaw which had increased the minimum width required for a single-family lot to be subdivided back to an original regulation. The minimum lot width earlier this year was increased from 11 metres (26 feet) to 12 metres (39 feet) “reflecting concerns in recent years with some proposals for lots less than 12 m (39 feet). Concerns included the increased number of driveways, reduced on-street parking and reduced landscaping, all of which can impact neighborhood character.”
The new amendment will go to a public hearing.
At a public hearing at municipal hall earlier this year, an overflow crowd showed up with most vehemently opposed the bylaw changes. Several residents accused council of discriminating against North Deltans, and demanded to be treated the same as South Delta.
Several North Delta residents, however, spoke in favour of the proposed regulations, saying street parking has already become a problem and trade-offs are required in order to have neighbourhood livability.
Council instructed staff to revisit the bylaw and come back with amendments.
Since then, council cancelled other aspects of the new bylaw. A restriction on secondary suite parking in front yards was removed and the limit on accessory buildings was relaxed. However, the 15-metre lot width minimum for a house to have a secondary suite remained.
Going back to the original minimum lot width for subdivisions was the final change.
The new zoning bylaw proposed no changes to the current North Delta house size cap but it was also an issue brought up repeatedly at the hearing.
The cap on the size varies according to zones. Planning staff were instructed to revisit that issue as well, after the bylaw changes were completed. It could very well be as divisive as it was when it was imposed over a decade ago following homeowner complaints about so-called “monster houses” being built in their neighbourhoods.
