A proposed amendment to the Tabor Lake-Stone Creek official community plan would allow the development of secondary homes on lots as small at 1.4 hectares (3.46 acres) in the Tabor Lake area, according to a report released by the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
Currently lots zoned rural residential (RR1) in the area cannot have a second home on the lot unless the lot is two hectares (4.94 acres) or larger. Lots smaller than two hectares may only have a single home, with or without a secondary suite.
Under the proposed amendment, which will be going to a public hearing on Aug. 16, rural residential lots between 1.4 and 1.99 ha. would be allowed to have two homes, one of which is no larger than 125 sq. meters (1,345.5 sq. feet). However, if a second home is on a lot, no secondary suites would be permitted.
In an email, district general manager of development services Kenna Jonkman said the change would affect 137 out of the approximately 1,143 private properties within the Tabor Lake-Stone Creek official community plan area. Under current zoning bylaws, the smallest rural residential lot size which can be created by subdividing land is 1.6 ha. (3.95 acres).
However, if the OCP change is approved by the regional district board of directors following the public hearing, owners of lots between 1.4 and 1.99 ha. will not automatically be allowed to build a second home on their lot, the district report says.
“The changes to the Housing Policies will make it possible for them to make zoning amendment applications to allow a second residence if it isn’t permitted by their current zoning,” the report says. “The owners of 1015 Stewart Road have made an application to rezone for a second residence and this OCP amendment is necessary to allow consideration of that zoning amendment. All land use applications are evaluated individually and making an application does not guarantee it will be approved.”
Any application to rezone a property to build a second residence would still be required to demonstrate sufficient sewage capacity, an evaluation of potential lake impacts for lakeside properties and would be required to comply with Agricultural Land Reserve regulations, if applicable, the report says.
Before the OCP amendment goes to the regional district board for consideration, a public hearing will be held at the regional district board office at 7 p.m. on Aug. 16. Residents impacted by the proposed change can participate in person or by dialing in to the public hearing.
Comments can also be submitted by emailing developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca, or by regular mail, until 9 a.m. on Aug. 16.
More information on the application and how to participate can be found on the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George website.
