Revelstoke Bylaw
Listing

BYLAW 1519

• protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity;
• protection of development from hazardous conditions;
• protection of farming;
• revitalization of an area in which a commercial use is permitted;
• establishment of objectives for the form and character of intensive residential, commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development.

Where Development Permit Areas are designated, the special conditions or objectives that justify the designation must be described and guidelines specified in the Official Community Plan or a zoning bylaw, respecting the manner by which the special conditions or objectives will be addressed.

Council has designated eight Development Permit Areas, as shown on Schedule E – Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas. They are:

• Area A - Watershed Management Development Permit Area
• Area B - Downtown Revitalization Development Permit Area
• Area C - Highway Entry Corridor Commercial and Industrial Development Permit Area
• Area D - Victoria Road/Townley Street Entrance Linkage Development Permit Area
• Area E - Old Selkirk School Site Multiple Family Residential Development Permit Area
• Area F - Multiple Family Residential Development Permit Area
• Area G – Westside Road Development Permit Area
• Area H– Revelstoke Mountain Resort Development Permit Area

In addition, Council may consider the designation of heritage conservation areas in accordance with Section 970.1 of the Local Government Act.

Development Permit Area A - Watershed Management Development Permit Area

Category

20.2.1 The Watershed Management Development Permit Area is designated under Section 945 (4) (a) of the Municipal Act - protection of the natural environment.

Area

.2 Development Permit Areas A (1) (Dolan Creek) and A (2) (Bridge Creek) as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas.

Justification

.3 Dolan Creek and Bridge Creek and their watersheds are existing and potential water sources for the City of Revelstoke. The creeks are subject to water quality degradation from pollution and siltation. The objective of the Development Permit Area designation is to prevent degradation of the water supply through maintaining the integrity of the natural environments in these watersheds.

Guidelines

.4 Development Permits issued in these areas shall be in accordance with the following:

.1 No septic tank, drainage field or deposit field should be constructed in any portion of the watershed draining into Dolan Creek or Bridge Creek upstream of the water intake.

.2 Land clearing and alteration should be kept to a minimum setback of 15m from the creek channel.

.3 Alteration of natural drainage in the watershed should result in no net increase of runoff into the creek.

.4 Stormwater run-off from adjacent development should not enter the creek upstream of the water intake.

Development Permit Area B - Downtown Revitalization Development Permit Area

Category

20.3.1 The Downtown Revitalization Development Permit Area is designated under Section 945 (4) (d) of the Municipal Act - revitalization of an area in which a commercial use is
permitted.

Area

.2 Development Permit Area B as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas.

Justification

.3 The City, in conjunction with property owners, undertook a major downtown revitalization project in the mid 1980s. This initiative not only improved the physical appearance of the downtown but also fostered considerable pride in the community. There is a desire to ensure that any new development adheres to the standards of quality set when initial revitalization works were undertaken.

Guidelines

.4 Development permits issued in this area shall be in accordance with the following:

.1 The development of new buildings and renovations to existing buildings should be sympathetic to the scale, mass, materials and colours found in heritage and commercial buildings, without being imitational. Additional details on Building Design Guidelines are set out in Appendix I attached hereto, which forms part of this Plan.

.2 Site furnishings, lighting, brick work and other materials, whether on public or private property, should be designed to be compatible with the character of the existing features of the streetscape in order to reinforce continuity of character within the area.

.3 Soft landscaping (trees, shrubs, ground covers and flowers) should be of species compatible with materials currently in place to reinforce continuity of character, to soften the visual effect of the streetscape and to promote comfort for shoppers and visitors.

.4 Rear building areas should be utilized for service access and off-street parking.

.5 Parking areas and service areas should be screened and landscaped.

.6 Development proponents should consult the City's Sign Bylaw No. 1310 and amendments thereto for matters relating to on-site signage.

.7 The City's Sign and Design Review Committee will be involved in the review of Development Permit applications.

Development Permit Area C - Highway Entry Corridor Commercial and Industrial Development Permit Area

Category

20.4.1 The Highway Entry Corridor Commercial and Industrial Development Permit Area is designated under Section 945 (4) (e) of the Municipal Act - establishment of objectives and the provisions of guidelines for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development.

Area

.2 Development Permit Areas C (1) (Highway #23 south), C (2) (Highway #1 west and Highway #23 north) and C (3) (Highway #1 east), as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas.

Justification

.3 The above noted areas flank the major highway accesses into the City and thereby are the first visual clues the travelling public receives of the City. These entry corridors are therefore vital in promoting a sense of quality and in stimulating the interest and curiosity required to bring people into the City, thereby promoting tourism and downtown revitalization efforts. Development Permit Area C (3) has special significance because it is adjacent to the main road entrance to Mount Revelstoke National Park.

The objective of these Development Permit Area designations is to ensure that the development of the areas is compatible with the form and character of adjacent development, the image the City is promoting through its downtown revitalization efforts, and the high exposure road entrance to Mount Revelstoke National Park.

Guidelines

.4 Development Permits issued in these areas shall be in accordance with the following:

.1 The form and character of streetscape and roadside improvements and new structural developments should be complementary to the scale, mass, materials and colours which currently project an image of lasting quality. In Development Permit Area C (3), special attention should be paid to use of these features to enhance the entry to Mount Revelstoke National Park.

.2 Development in high public use commercial areas should be encouraged to utilize design features which complement the form and character of the revitalized commercial core. Such elements may include site furnishings, lighting, walkways, brick work, soft landscaping and other features.

.3 Surface parking should be developed where conveniently located for ease of access. However, parking areas should be appropriately landscaped and/or screened to minimize the negative visual impact of large areas of open asphalt.

.4 Service and on-site storage areas should be screened and landscaped from public view.

.5 Development proponents should consult with the City's Sign Bylaw No. 1310 and amendments thereto for matters relating to on-site signage.

.6 The City's Sign and Design Review Committee will be involved in the review of Development Permit applications.

*Amended Bylaw 1816 .7 Where a development is proposed in an area designated Development Permit Area C (2) (Highway No. 1 West and Highway 23 North) and Development Permit Area F – Multi Family Residential Development Permit Area, conditions with respect to the form and character of the building can be imposed on a mixed use building to enhance the characteristics of the multi family component.

Development Permit Area D - Victoria Road/Townley Street and Big Eddy Road Entrance Linkages Development Permit Area

Category

20.5.1 The Victoria Road/Townley Street and Big Eddy Road Entrance Linkages Development Permit Area is designated under Section 945 (4) (e) of the Municipal Act - establishment of objectives and the provision of guidelines for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development.

Area

.2 Development Permit Area D (1) (Victoria Road), D (2) (Townley Street) and D (3) (Big Eddy Road) as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas.
Justification

.3 Victoria Road and Townley Street are the primary linkage roads from the major western access and minor eastern access to the commercial core from Highway #1. Big Eddy Road is the main linkage from Highway #23 (south). As such, a major function of the roads is to lead the travelling public to the revitalized commercial core and, in turn, support and promote community revitalization efforts. In order to effectively lead highway travellers to the commercial core, the roads should project a positive streetscape image which provides linkage and continuity between the revitalized highway accesses and the downtown core.

The objective of this Development Permit Area designation is to ensure that development, whether on private or public property, is compatible with the form, character and image the City is promoting through its downtown revitalization efforts.

Guidelines

.4 Development Permits in these areas shall be in accordance with the following:

.1 The form and character of structural improvements should be complementary to their immediate land use context in terms of scale, massing, materials and colours to project an image of lasting quality.

.2 Development should utilize appropriate design features which will complement and reinforce their linkage to the image of the revitalized commercial core. Such elements may include site furnishings, lighting, walkways, brick work, soft landscaping and other features.

.3 Surface parking should be easily identified and accessed, but landscaped to minimize visual impact and project a quality image.

.4 Service and on-site storage areas should be screened and landscaped from public view.

.5 Development proponents should consult the City's sign Bylaw No. 1310 and amendments thereto for matters relating to signage.

.6 The City's Sign and Design Review Committee will be involved in the review of Development Permit applications.

Development Permit Area E - Old Selkirk School Site Multiple Family Residential Development Permit Area

Category

20.6.1 The Old Selkirk School Site Multiple Family Residential Development Permit Area is designated under Section 945 (4) (e) of the Municipal Act - establishment of objectives and the provision of guidelines for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential developments.

Area

.2 Development Permit Area E as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas.

Justification

.3 The Old Selkirk School site is a key property within the central area of the City of Revelstoke. Proper development of this site can do much to strengthen the core of the community and build upon revitalization and heritage initiatives undertaken in the downtown area and adjacent residential neighbourhoods. In order to accomplish this, any development must be well integrated with and reflect the quality and character of surrounding residential development. This is especially critical given the introduction of a higher density residential use into a predominantly lower density residential area.

The objective of this development permit area designation is to ensure that development of the Old Selkirk School site is of the highest quality and compatible with the form and character of the adjacent residential neighbourhood.

Guidelines

.4 Development permits in this area shall be issued in accordance with the following:

.1 The primary orientation of buildings should be to the north-south travel corridors, namely Sixth and Seventh Streets.

.2 The scale of buildings should not present massive walls to the street, but rather individual elements which convey the impression of detached housing. This impression should be strengthened through the use of individual connections between the housing unit and the street sidewalk.

.3 Open space areas should be incorporated within the site design, preferably along a north-south axis through the centre of the site to reflect the widespread use of lanes in the area.

.4 Landscaping along Sixth and Seventh Streets should be undertaken in a manner which provides visual continuity with neighbouring blocks. Existing mature trees are to be preserved wherever possible.

.5 Exterior finishing building materials should be complementary to those used in the adjacent neighbourhood and emphasize a natural rather than man-made appearance. This may include the use of wood siding, natural stone and earth-tone brick rather than steel and glass or bare concrete finishes.

.6 The palette of colours used on building exteriors should be subtle, natural-toned and clear.

.7 Steep-sloped roofs constructed of a material which safely sheds snow and water should be utilized.

.8 The City's Sign and Design Review Committee will be involved in the review of Development Permit applications.

Development Permit Area F - Multiple Family Residential Development Permit Area

Category

20.7.1 The Multiple Family Residential Development Permit Area is designated under Section 945 (4) (e) of the Municipal Act - establishment of objectives and the provision of guidelines for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential developments.

Area

.2 Development Permit Area F as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Areas.

Justification

.3 Low density single family residential development is the primary form of residential development in the City of Revelstoke. Complementary uses such as schools and parks also exist in most neighbourhoods. All of these uses have one common characteristic -proper integration into the residential neighbourhood. Multiple family residential development has the potential to contribute to or detract from such residential neighbourhoods. The objective of this development permit area designation is to ensure that proposed multiple family residential developments are compatible with and contribute to the form and character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Guidelines

.4 Development permits in this area shall be issued in accordance with the following:

.1 The siting of buildings on a parcel of land must recognize many factors. Steep slopes generally present a constraint to development, yet could be utilized if buildings are fit into the slope in a safe manner. Other hazards such as unstable soils must also be considered when developing a site. Trees are another important factor and can be utilized to blend a building into a neighbourhood and Revelstoke's natural environment. Beyond recognizing physical features in site development, features such as site design to allow proper supervision of amenity areas must be considered.

.2 Scale can be defined as the relative proportion or size of one thing to another. In architectural terms scale is the relationship of a building to people, other buildings and the natural environment. Multiple family buildings in Revelstoke should be in scale with all of these features and fit well in the community's context.

.3 Building form is the way built portions or volumes of a structure are placed in space and relate to one another. Building form and scale are closely related. A key objective in developing Revelstoke's built form is to avoid elements which are out of proportion, typically because they are too massive and/or undefined. As a general principle, it is preferable to have numerous small building forms rather than one large one.

.4 There are two critical considerations with respect to building orientation which must be addressed in any new multiple family residential development. The first is views. Given Revelstoke's spectacular setting in the Columbia River Valley bordered by mountain ranges, it follows that building orientation should take full advantage of these views. The second consideration is sun angle. Proper building orientation with respect to the sun's traverse across the southern sky will improve interior conditions within individual units, reduce heating costs and generally benefit the development.

.5 Roofs are a prominent feature in Revelstoke. Steeply-pitched roofs not only help to shed the weight of winter snow but also provide an identifiable feature of our community. Roofs should be suitable for the scale and form of individual buildings and may assist with integrating buildings with the adjacent neighbourhood.

.6 The exterior finish of a building is an obvious expression of design. Materials used in finishing a building are traditionally those found in the surrounding region (such as wood or stone) and are therefore a reflection of the community. This principle should be followed in finishing the exterior of multiple family residential buildings in Revelstoke.

.7 Along with exterior finishing, colour is another prominent design characteristic. Depending upon the palette of colours used, buildings may blend well with their surroundings or stand out from them. In order to further the objective of integration with the form and character of the adjacent neighbourhood and natural environment, natural and earth-toned colours are preferable to primary and bright colours.

.8 The City's Sign and Design Review Committee will be involved in the review of Development Permit applications.

*Amended Bylaw 1816 .9 Where a development is proposed in an area designated Development Permit Area F – Multi Family Residential Development and Development Permit Area C (2) (Highway No. 1 West and Highway 23 North), conditions with respect to the form and character of the building can be imposed on a mixed use building to enhance the characteristics of the multi family component.

Development Permit Area G - Westside Road Development Permit Area

Category *Amended Bylaw 1675

20.8.1 The Westside Road Development Permit Area is designated under Section 919.1 of the Local Government Act - establishment of objectives and the provision of guidelines for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development.

Area

.2 Development Permit Area G as shown on Schedule E - Development Permit and Temporary Commercial and Industrial Permit Area.

.3 Justification

The northern area of Westside Road in the vicinity of the existing tourist commercial use holds potential for development of additional tourist commercial uses. The lands adjacent to Westside Road south of this area is heavily occupied with long term industrial uses such as gravel pits, landfills and sawmills. Access to the potential tourist commercial uses is via Westside Road. In order to maintain a visually aesthetic route to the tourist commercial uses, screening of any development with visually unappealing activities adjacent to Westside Road is recommended. This will allow the development of much-needed industrial land adjacent to Westside Road in the southern portion while maintaining a positive visual image for people who access the tourist commercial areas in the north.

The objective of this development permit designation is to ensure that any unsightly development adjacent to Westside Road is well-screened from vehicles traveling along Westside Road.

Guidelines

.4 Development Permits issued in this area shall be in accordance with the following:

1. A tree buffer adjacent to Westside Road will be provided to a minimum of 75 percent of the lot frontage and to a minimum depth of 25 metres. The tree buffer will be provided by:

a. retaining and protecting all existing trees within the designated buffer area; and
b. planting and establishing a combination of indigenous species (both coniferous and deciduous) with a minimum height of 1.8 metres to achieve proper screening of industrial activity.

2. The improvement to the remainder of the lot frontage shall be in keeping with the intent of the Development Permit Area.

Development Permit Area H – Revelstoke Mountain Resort
*Amended Bylaw 1850

Category

20.9.1 The Revelstoke Mountain Resort Development Permit Area is designated under Section 919.1(1)(a), (b) and (f) of the Local Government Act for the protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity; protection of development from hazardous conditions; and establishment of objectives for the form and character of commercial and multi-family residential development.

Area

.2 Development Permit Area H is the area zoned Comprehensive Development 8 Zone (CD-8) by Zoning Bylaw No. 1264, 1984.

Justification

.3 Development Permit Area H contains certain streams which the City must protect from development in accordance with the Fish Protection Act and the Riparian Areas Regulation. The area is subject to wildfire hazard, being adjacent to forested lands to the east and north-east, and contains steep slopes. Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a prominent all-season recreation resort expected to bring large numbers of visitors to the City, in relation to which the City therefore wishes to ensure a high standard for neighbourhood and building form and character, to emphasize the natural setting of the resort as well as the use of indigenous building styles and materials.


Guidelines

.4 Guidelines for Development Permit Area H are contained in Zoning Bylaw No. 1264, 1984.

Permit Requirements

.5 Without limiting s.920 of the Local Government Act, a development permit is required to subdivide any area of land in Development Permit Area H. Given that the Zoning Bylaw does not include building siting regulations, it is intended that the development permit will supplement the bylaw by specifying building siting requirements and site coverage limits for each parcel of land being created, on the basis of guidelines set out in the Zoning Bylaw.

.6 A development permit is not required to construct or alter a single-family dwelling in Development Permit Area H, or an accessory building to a single-family dwelling, if the lot on which the building is to be constructed is subject to a development permit authorizing the subdivision of the lot and the siting and dimensions of the building will comply with the development permit, or for the installation, replacement or maintenance of landscaping on a lot used or proposed to be used for a single-family dwelling.

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