Development Variance Permit 287 – 6931 Courtenay Street

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The property owner of a parcel located at 6931 Courtenay St, has applied for a development variance permit. This application is seeking to reduce the minimum lot depth from 25m to 22.8m, the minimum rear setback from 5.5m to 3.8m, and the minimum side setback from 1.8m to 1.5m in the CD4 (Comprehensive Development 4 'Residential Small Lots') zone. If the variance is approved, it would support a proposal to subdivide the property into 3 lots, which will result in 2 smaller lots fronting Michigan Avenue where the owner wishes to construct a single family home on each lot. The 3rd lot will remain fronting Courtenay Street and will retain the existing home.

In the City's Sustainable Official Community Plan (SOCP) this property has a land use designation of Urban Residential Medium Density. The intent of this designation is to accommodate residential use in the form of any ground-oriented dwellings or apartments in close proximity to amenities and commercial services and may include single or two family dwellings and a variety of multi-family development such as cluster housing, townhouses, apartment buildings, group housing, special-needs housing, home-based businesses, natural and green space, and utilities.

The first of three variances is related to lot depth, the applicant is seeking a relaxation of the minimum lot depth by 2.2m from the current minimum of 25m to 22.8m. Since each of the proposed lots will front Michigan Avenue, and on account of lot depth being measured as the shortest distance between the front and rear lot lines, or, in the case of the corner lot, the shorter lot line abutting a street, a lot depth of 22.8m is the maximum possible given the existing parcel’s narrow width. Despite this not meeting the minimum that is required, even with the reduced lot depth all three of the proposed lots will exceed the minimum CD4 zone lot area requirement. 

The reduced lot depth will result in the rear setback for the proposed dwellings on Lot A and Lot B being reduced to 3.8m, and the minimum required is 5.5m. The second variance being sought is to permit this reduction in the minimum rear setback for both lots. This equates to a reduction of the rear setback by 1.7m. While this will provide greater usable rear yard space, this is not anticipated to adversely affect neighbouring properties as the rear lot line for Lots A and B back away from residential dwellings on adjacent properties.

The final variance being sought is to reduce the minimum side setback along the lot line shared by Lot A and Lot B from the required 1.8m to 1.5m, this is a 0.3m reduction. This would increase the buildable area on both lots by 4.05m2. Per drawings submitted to the Planning Services Department, the additional buildable area afforded by the 0.3m relaxation in the side setback is intended to accommodate the applicant’s desire to construct an attached garage for each of the new residential homes being proposed.

Council will consider issuance of Development Variance Permit 287 at its April 17, 2025, regular meeting. Any party who feels their interests may be affected by the proposed development can make written submission to Council. Submissions may be emailed to planningservices@powellriver.ca, mailed to City Hall, 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, V8A 1V4, or delivered in person to City Hall. All written submissions must be received no later than 2 pm on April 17, 2025.

As always, residents are welcome to reach out directly to Planning Services staff with any additional questions or concerns. Our offices can be reached at 604-485-8650 or planningservices@powellriver.ca. 

The property owner of a parcel located at 6931 Courtenay St, has applied for a development variance permit. This application is seeking to reduce the minimum lot depth from 25m to 22.8m, the minimum rear setback from 5.5m to 3.8m, and the minimum side setback from 1.8m to 1.5m in the CD4 (Comprehensive Development 4 'Residential Small Lots') zone. If the variance is approved, it would support a proposal to subdivide the property into 3 lots, which will result in 2 smaller lots fronting Michigan Avenue where the owner wishes to construct a single family home on each lot. The 3rd lot will remain fronting Courtenay Street and will retain the existing home.

In the City's Sustainable Official Community Plan (SOCP) this property has a land use designation of Urban Residential Medium Density. The intent of this designation is to accommodate residential use in the form of any ground-oriented dwellings or apartments in close proximity to amenities and commercial services and may include single or two family dwellings and a variety of multi-family development such as cluster housing, townhouses, apartment buildings, group housing, special-needs housing, home-based businesses, natural and green space, and utilities.

The first of three variances is related to lot depth, the applicant is seeking a relaxation of the minimum lot depth by 2.2m from the current minimum of 25m to 22.8m. Since each of the proposed lots will front Michigan Avenue, and on account of lot depth being measured as the shortest distance between the front and rear lot lines, or, in the case of the corner lot, the shorter lot line abutting a street, a lot depth of 22.8m is the maximum possible given the existing parcel’s narrow width. Despite this not meeting the minimum that is required, even with the reduced lot depth all three of the proposed lots will exceed the minimum CD4 zone lot area requirement. 

The reduced lot depth will result in the rear setback for the proposed dwellings on Lot A and Lot B being reduced to 3.8m, and the minimum required is 5.5m. The second variance being sought is to permit this reduction in the minimum rear setback for both lots. This equates to a reduction of the rear setback by 1.7m. While this will provide greater usable rear yard space, this is not anticipated to adversely affect neighbouring properties as the rear lot line for Lots A and B back away from residential dwellings on adjacent properties.

The final variance being sought is to reduce the minimum side setback along the lot line shared by Lot A and Lot B from the required 1.8m to 1.5m, this is a 0.3m reduction. This would increase the buildable area on both lots by 4.05m2. Per drawings submitted to the Planning Services Department, the additional buildable area afforded by the 0.3m relaxation in the side setback is intended to accommodate the applicant’s desire to construct an attached garage for each of the new residential homes being proposed.

Council will consider issuance of Development Variance Permit 287 at its April 17, 2025, regular meeting. Any party who feels their interests may be affected by the proposed development can make written submission to Council. Submissions may be emailed to planningservices@powellriver.ca, mailed to City Hall, 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, V8A 1V4, or delivered in person to City Hall. All written submissions must be received no later than 2 pm on April 17, 2025.

As always, residents are welcome to reach out directly to Planning Services staff with any additional questions or concerns. Our offices can be reached at 604-485-8650 or planningservices@powellriver.ca.