City of Powell River Council has given first two readings to three bylaws pertaining to temporary use permits. The draft zoning amendment bylaw will proceed to public hearing.
At the October 15 city council meeting, councillors considered the three draft bylaws that would allow temporary uses in commercial, civic and industrial zones, plus farm camping use in the A2 (agricultural) large lot rural zone.
According to a staff report, the proposed change in commercial, civic and industrial zones would provide council broad authority to temporarily permit a use not otherwise permitted in the zones. The report stated that council would have broad authority to require conditions under which the temporary use may be carried out, including requiring the applicant to restore the land to a specific condition within a given timeframe.
The staff report stated that examples of uses that could be permitted via a temporary use permit process include construction management trailers, emergency shelters, harm reduction sites, outdoor gathering areas on private lots, farmers’ markets and other similar uses.
For farm camping, the staff report stated that to allow for large events in Powell River where camping may be required, the proposed bylaw would allow someone to receive a temporary use permit on A2 zone properties 10 acres or larger. Specific conditions for the use, such as maximum campsites, access, parking, sanitary services, prohibitions on specific activities and other safety or environmental requirements would be established in the permit for a specific application.
At the council meeting, councillor Rob Southcott said it sounds like temporary use permits will be an excellent addition and it only applies to temporary uses. He said it only applies to commercial, civic and industrial zones, not residential zones. He said an example of good use would be for the tribal journeys event Tla’amin Nation is planning on hosting in 2021, drawing first nations from around the Pacific Northwest.
“This would facilitate that use on land neighbouring Tla’amin,” said Southcott.
He said the temporary use permits would be given for three-year terms for a $1,500 fee, with the prospect of a three-year renewal for $1,000.
“It’s quite flexible and I’m quite excited about this being added to our toolbox,” added Southcott.
Councillor George Doubt said he would vote in favour of first and second reading and the public hearing. He said he was not totally convinced temporary use bylaws are a good idea, but he’d like to hear from the public about what it thinks and he’ll make up his mind later.
“This isn’t something that will exist for one year,” said Doubt. “It’s going to exist for a very long time and temporary use permits can be extended for up to 10 years. I’m voting in favour of this to hear what the public has to say and I’ll think more about it as we go along.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said he thinks it’s a great idea.
“I know of a number of opportunities where such a tool would have been well used within the community,” said Formosa. “I’m sure they can have a limit. They are temporary, not 10 years-worth of permitting. That will depend on how the bylaw is written. I’m in support of temporary use permits.”
