Nanaimo's Old City Quarter neighbourhood could receive a few personalized amendments to the city's new zoning bylaw to help preserve its historic appeal and established community roots.
In the summer, city council passed Zoning Bylaw 4500, a sweeping new document designed to encourage urban population infilling, while simplifying the city's zoning categories.
Part of that bylaw included reducing allowable lot sizes, encouraging two-storey (seven-metre) carriage houses, and allowing duplexes on corner lots.
The Nanaimo Old City Association said that jeopardized the atmosphere of heritage homes in the neighbourhood and submitted a request to return to the previous zoning bylaw.
"We surveyed the approximate 365 homes before the new zoning bylaw was implemented and two-thirds of homeowners that responded said they desired a return to Bylaw 4000," said Andrea Blakeman, NOCA spokeswoman.
Blakeman said many homeowners were concerned about carriage houses overlooking previously private backyards, as well as the possibility of large duplexes situated on corner lots where heritage homes once stood.
"We consider duplexes on corner lots of 700 to 1,000 square metres really a wrong fit in this neighbourhood," she said.
Council earlier obliged by agreeing to a reduction in the residential-one zoning area to a minimum lot size of 500 square metres (NOCA originally asked for 600 square metres) as well as the removal of the 450-square-metre minimum lot size with lane access to be included in R1-b zoning, designed specifically to suit the Old City Quarter neighbourhood.
It also reduced allowable carriage home heights to be reduced from seven metres to 4.5-5.5 metres.
On Monday, the association fought to implement its final request of excluding 16 corner lots in the neighbourhood from potential duplexes.
It won, but with that amendment forcing a revision to the bylaw, NOCA will have to wait until council meets again to vote on the first two readings.
"I really believe that we should be able to put forward a motion that will take duplexes on those 16 lots out of the equation," said Coun. Fred Pattje. "That way, we have done our duty to the Old City neighbourhood."
Mayor John Ruttan said he appreciates the work residents put into restoring the charm of the neighbourhood through renovations and updates, and that "the form and character of the Old City Quarter is important to me."
Coun. Jim Kipp, however, expressed concern that single-family residential homes reduce opportunities for people to live in the neighbourhood.
"One of my concerns is that single family neighbourhoods, and I'll go to the mono culture of the north end, it becomes very mono-cultured," Kipp said. "One of the things I like about a mix of housing in areas is people can afford different types of housing. Duplexes are still a form of housing ... and if it's such a nice area it would ultimately give someone the opportunity to move into a nicer area of town. With that said, I've always supported the neighbourhoods and the concepts of neighbourhoods and how they work."
Andrew Tucker, director of planning and development, said the city will work with the association to establish guidelines to maintain form and character of the Old City Quarter in infill settings where permits may be sought for various forms of housing, including coach and laneway housing.
Council passed the motion 6-3 to amend the bylaw to exclude duplexes from the R1-b zone in the Old City Quarter neighbourhood, leaving staff to rewrite the bylaw with the amendment and bring it back March 26 for first and second readings.
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