Port Coquitlam is set to tighten its zoning rules to stop illegal secondary suites in new houses and duplexes.
And it鈥檚 expected to make bylaw changes for living spaces below the floodplain 鈥� a move that would affect about 2,200 properties.
The for floor area ratio (FAR) exemptions; developments below the flood construction level; and cooking, laundry and bathroom facilities in dwelling units came before the city鈥檚 committee of council last week.
The planned amendments will go before council next Tuesday, with a public hearing to follow at a later date should council grant first reading.
Laura Lee Richard, PoCo鈥檚 director of planning and development services, told the committee many developers and builders are paying attention as the city looks to retool its legislation, which is aimed at public safety and to ease the pressure on infrastructure.
Splitting large basements into more than one secondary suite 鈥� following permits and inspections 鈥� is contrary to the city鈥檚 zoning regulations and the BC Building Code.
鈥淥ur neighbourhoods are not designed for these kind of spaces,鈥� Richard said, adding area are facing street parking crunches as more people move into affordable accommodations.
Coun. Laura Dupont said the zoning amendments pertaining to floodplain levels are 鈥渓ong overdue鈥� as waters continue to rise with climate change, and living spaces below the floodplain prone to flooding.
Under the proposed rules to limit FAR exemption for areas within a basement, the current exempt basement area would go from:
鈥� 1,007 sq. ft to 604 sq. ft for a small lot;
鈥� 1,952 sq. ft. to 1,171 sq. ft. for a large lot;
鈥� and 1,980 sq. ft. to 1,080 sq. ft. for a duplex.
In short, the change would require that any floor area that exceeds the exemption of 0.15 times the lot area must be counted.
As for building below the floodplain elevation, the city plans to restrict the number and size of non-habitable rooms; crawl spaces also won鈥檛 be able to have windows or external door openings.
And the city intends to limit cooking areas, bathrooms and laundry facilities to the principal residence and one secondary suite only.
Coun. Darrell Penner said he would like bylaw officials to take more proactive enforcement to crack down on current illegal secondary suites.听
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