RECOMMENDATION:
That the development approval process improvements, approved by Council
on June 25, 2002 for a six month trial period and implemented through planning
process changes and enactment of delegation By-law 2002-202, be approved for
continuation on an ongoing basis;
And that, prior to staff approval of any site plan application related
to a property having arterial road frontage (except for site plans applications
proposing additions to existing buildings), that proposed building elevations
be reviewed with the Development Services Committee at a “Part A” session;
And that Council enact the amendment to Delegation By-law 2002-202,
attached as Appendix ‘A’.
PURPOSE:
The
purpose of this report is to respond to comments made at the Development
Services February 4, 2003 meeting regarding
the staff recommendation for continuation of approved streamling
processes for development approvals within the Development Services Commission. The report recommends a revised process in
relation to site plan approval for applications on properties with arterial
road frontage.
BACKGROUND:
On February 4, 2003 Committee
considered a staff report entitled “Streamlining of Development Approval
Processes, Including Delegation of Development Approval Authority, Six Month
Review” (see Appendix “B”). While
Committee, for the most part, supported continuation of staff steamlining
initiatives and delegation of approval authority, some concern was raised
regarding site plan approval for developments abutting arterial roads.
DISCUSSION:
Council approved delegation of all site
plan approval authority to the Commissioner/Director with the exception of the
following, which approval authority remains with Committee:
·
multi-storey residential buildings,
four storeys and over in height;
·
office buildings located on arterial
roads and over 7,500 m2 (80,000 sq. ft.);
·
retail/commercial
developments over 4,700 m2 (50,000 sq. ft.).
Based on the February 4, 2003
discussion, staff are recommending that building elevations for all site plan
applications on arterial roads (except for additions to existing buildings), be
presented to Development Services Committee, at a Part A session. In this manner, Council will be given the
opportunity to review and comment on arterial road development before staff
issue the approval, which, after Committee review, will be only administrative
in nature. It should be noted that both
staff and Committee members may, at any time, request that a matter delegated
to staff for approval, be “bumped up” for full Committee consideration.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The Core Services Implementation Program - Development Applications
Review and Approval Process Project includes a savings target of 1 FTE and
$62,000 and an efficiency target of 5 FTEs and $310,000.
As noted in the June 18, 2002, report, implementation of the
recommendations realize an efficiency target gain of $60,604.00, and 0.980
F.T.E. This efficiency will only be
realized if the process changes and the approval authority delegations remain
in place permanently.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The
Legal Services Department was consulted regarding the June 8, 2002,
recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix
‘A’ Amendment
to Delegation By-law
Appendix
‘B’ February
4, 2003 staff report
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Valerie
Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director
of Planning and Urban Design
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Jim
Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner
of Development Services
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