Watercourse DPA District of North Vancouver Streamside DPA Development Permit Area for the Protection of the Natural Environment: Streamside Areas Public.

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DPA

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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

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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

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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….

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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DPA

District of North Vancouver

Streamside DPA

What this DPA will not address

Protection from hazardous conditions

Marine foreshore

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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…

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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

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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

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District of North Vancouver

Streamside DPA

Bylaws Required

OCP amendment bylaw

Development Procedures Bylaw 7660 amendment

EPP Bylaw 7659 amendment

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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

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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

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District of North Vancouver

Streamside DPA

Questions ?