development permit area for the protection of the natural environment: streamside areas
DESCRIPTION
Development Permit Area for the Protection of the Natural Environment: Streamside Areas. Public Sessions June 13 & 14, 2007. Purpose of this Session. Why streamside protection Explain the Development Permit Area (DPA) Explain the “Protected Area” - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Development Permit Area for the Protection of the Natural Environment:
Streamside Areas
Public Sessions June 13 & 14, 2007
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Purpose of this Session
Why streamside protection
Explain the Development Permit Area (DPA)
Explain the “Protected Area”
Compare the existing and proposed permitting systems
Get your feedback
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
What is a Stream?
Includes -
a) a watercourse whether it usually contains water or not;
b) a pond, lake, river, creek or brook; and
c) a ditch, spring or wetland that is connected by surface flow to a) or b).
Adapted from the Environmental Protection and Preservation Bylaw and Riparian Areas Regulation
Why Protect Streams and Streamside Areas?
Fish
Wildlife
Bank stability, Greenspace
Community Values -
Streamside vegetation benefits….
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Why? (cont’d) – it’s the Law
FEDERAL:
Fisheries Act – prohibits harm to fish habitat
PROVINCIAL:
Fish Protection Act –requires local governments to protect riparian areas from development
Riparian Areas Regulation – establishes methods for protecting riparian areas
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Why? (cont’d) – DNV policies
OCP Natural Environment Policies Conserve and protect watercourses
Local Plans Detailed policies for protecting and enhancing
streams
DPA 1 (Environment) Applies to upper forested areas, major streams.
Does not contain specific setbacks, does require environmental impact study.
Cont’d
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Env’l Protection & Preservation Bylaw (1994)
Aquatic section established streamside setbacks from Top of Bank (TOB):
15 m for residential 30 m for multifamily, commercial, industrial
A permit is required for any work in stream corridors
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
What is a Development Permit Area?
BC Local Government Act
Area where “the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity” needs to be protected
Development permits may: Specify areas to remain free of development
Require natural features to be preserved
Require protection measures – e.g., replant, control erosion, enhance habitat, etc.
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Why a DPA for streamside protection?
Clear authority to regulate a range of land use and development activities
Meet obligations under the RAR
Give clear guidance to property owners when a permit may be needed
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
What this DPA will not address
Protection from hazardous conditions
Marine foreshore
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Where is the proposed DPA?
Applies to all parcels that:
contain a stream;
lie within 15 m of the TOB of a stream; or
Lie within 10 m of the TOB of a ravine greater than 60m in width.
Map of the DPA – current and proposed
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
What is the “Protected Area”?
Area (setback) within the DPA to be ultimately protected from development
Based on requirements of the RAR
Protected area on residential lots = 15 m from TOB of streams10 m from TORB for ravines > 60 m
wide
Realities in Existing Neighborhoods
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Development in the Protected Area
Principles: Existing structures and land uses can
continue as always (i.e., “grandparented”)
Locate new development outside PA
If exhaust all options but still can’t avoid PA – *may be approved with compensation for lost area (“no net loss”)
*If impact too severe – DP may not be approved
No development from stream centre to 5 m from TOB
Avoid – no options, compensate
Avoid altogether
“Grandparented”
Protected Area – example lot situations
No closer than existing development
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Compensating for Riparian Loss
Compensation ‘ratio’: Footprint
Permanency
Etc.
Example compensation: Improving riparian vegetation on or off site
Removing other structures and restoring
Improving in-stream habitat – restoration plan
Compensation example
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Protected Area – large parcels
> 0.5 ha (1.2 acres)
Opportunity to protect larger streamside area than on SF lots
Protected area = 30 m from TOB
No development from stream centre to 15 m from TOB
Protected Area – large lot situations
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Exemptions – what would not need a DP
Development outside the Protected Area
Routine landscape maintenance
Renovation on existing foundation
Non-structural exterior reno’s (painting, etc.)
Emergency actions to prevent immediate threat to life or property
Cont’d…
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Exemptions – continued
Approved riparian or in-stream restoration
Seasonal play equipment on existing lawn
Subdivision, where building envelope is outside Protected Area
Public works and services – follow guidelines
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Compare Existing and Proposed
EPP Bylaw Proposed DPA
Aquatic area permit Development permit
15 m from TOB for residential
30 m from TOB for others
15 m from TOB on lots <0.5 ha
30 m from TOB on lots >0.5 ha
Compensation required informally
Compensation requirement formalized
Environmental Services Planning Services with ES input
Enforced with fine Enforced by court action
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Bylaws Required
OCP amendment bylaw
Development Procedures Bylaw 7660 amendment
EPP Bylaw 7659 amendment
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Summary
DPA is better tool than the EPP Bylaw: Clear mandate to address all aspects of
streamside protection
Fulfills obligation under the RAR
Recognizes all ecological values – it’s not just about fish.
Formalize what is being doing now under the EPP Bylaw
Provides certainty and consistency
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Next Steps
Refine the concept and draft bylaws based on Council and public input
Submit to Council in Fall
1st and 2nd reading
Public hearing
Final revisions
3rd and 4th reading - adoption
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
Wat
erco
urse
D
PAW
ater
cour
se
DPA
District of North Vancouver
Streamside DPA
Questions ?