These are the recommendations Council made on each of the 16 Incentives from the Incentive Package for houses in the Advanced Category of the Heritage Conservation Area (HCA)  during the Special Council Meeting held on May 14.  1.1 and 1.4 received 1^st and 2^nd reading at the May 28^th council meeting.

1.0 Increase in Density

YES to 1.1 Increased Floor Space Ratio for the Principal Dwelling.  Increase the FSR by 0.20 for all                                                   protected properties.  Bylaw for 1^st and 2^nd Reading passed on May 28^th.  Public Hearing for 3^rd Reading on Tuesday, June 19^th.

NO to     1.2 Existing Basement Floor Space Exclusion

NO to     1.3 Existing Attic Floor Space Exclusion

YES to    1.4 More Achievable Laneway and Carriage House Density.  Allow a larger density transfer of unused density from the principal house to enable a laneway or carriage house to be 10% of the total site coverage or up to 958 square feet whichever is the lesser of the two – anything larger requires an HRA.  Bylaw for 1^st and 2^nd Reading passed on May 28^th.  Public Hearing for 3^rd Reading Tuesday, June 19^th.

NO to    1.5 Larger Laneway and Carriage House.   Allow only for large properties with houses that are already over density.  This would have been for large (size still to be determined but estimated to be fewer than 50 homes).  Max size for laneway or carriage house 1200 square feet.  This can be done through a Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA).

2.0 Relaxation of Regulations

YES to     2.1 Policy to Support Additions to Buildings that do not Conform with Zoning Bylaw.  The existing policy for Development Variance permits is being reviewed and a guide is to be created hopefully by late 2018 or early 2019.

YES  to      2.2  Relaxation to Laneway and Carriage House Regulations and Guidelines.  This will be the same approach taken citywide; allow for thicker walls, retaining trees or for an accessible unit. Enacted now.

YES to      2.3  Relaxation of Sewer Separation Requirements for Laneway and Carriage Houses.  This is/will be citywide when the principal dwelling is being retained.

YES to       2.4  Building Code Relaxations.   Opportunities for owners will be identified when they apply to renovate.  To be used where applicable as requested starting now.

3.0  Change of Tenure

REFERRED TO STAFF    3.1    Stratified Laneway and Carriage House    (Suggested to attach it to a Designation or HRA)  Recommended that staff review it and bring it back to council with conditions at a later date likely late 2018 or the early Spring of 2019.

NO to       3.2   Stratified Principal Dwelling    For over density homes on large lots allow a maximum of 3 units and any changes would need a Heritage Application Permit (HAP)   Moved to place in the HRA process.

YES to     3.3  Multiply Unit Conversion  (Rental)    3 unit maximum but no laneway or carriage house and allow it only for large properties with houses that are already over density.   Councillors want staff to look into consequences of rental units in homes i.e. sprinkler systems, exterior entrances etc.   Changes must have HAP.  Recommended that staff review it and bring it back to council with recommendations at a later date likely the early Spring of 2019.

NO to   3.4  Small Lot Subdivision     Only allow through a Heritage Revitalization Agreement.

4.0  Process and Other Changes

YES to    4.1 Heritage Home Grant    Explore possibility for citywide program for 2020 and beyond

YES to   4.2   Interpretive Sign Program   Incorporate into the citywide program for 2020 and beyond.

YES to   4.3    Expedited Approval Process.   A.)City permits, B.) Additional services to assist owners when they apply to renovate, C.)Refine Evaluation Checklist and D.) Provide more direction by adding additional design guidelines during Heritage conservation review.  Recommended that staff review it and bring it back to council with recommendations at a later date likely in late 2018 or the early Spring of 2019.

April 30, 2018: Minor traffic control measures now in place

As a result of revised priorities, the date for the mechanical demolition of the Mercer Park skateboard park has been moved to May 7.  In moving forward with site excavation, traffic management plans are now in place. Local drivers are seeing construction notices and flagging on Sixth Street controlling exits around the site as trucks turning (right only) leave the site. Expect some minor delays as measures ensure vehicle traffic can safely exit the site.

In addition, signage is in place on Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue clarifying parking arrangements for patrons of Massey Theatre. Patrons with mobility issues are directed to clearly designated stalls behind the Massey Theatre; the general public is directed to appropriate parking stalls in the New Westminster Secondary School parking lot to the North.