In the summer of 2008 a group of residents, primarily from Newton and Whalley, formed an association – The Surrey Ratepayers Association, which petitioned the City to make changes to the Single Family Residential (RF) Zoning restrictions. Their requested changes include:
- For lots in excess of 560 square metres (6,028 square feet), the house floor area restriction be removed;
- For lots in excess of 560 square metres (6,028 square feet) the house size only be subject to the current 40% maximum lot coverage restriction and the 9-metre (30 feet) maximum building height (i.e., that there be no maximum floor area );
- The restriction on outdoor parking be revised to allow four vehicles plus a house trailer, camper or boat; and
- One secondary suite be allowed upon general application to build a house.
The City planning department presented 3 alternatives to City council and recommended the second. The following excerpt, describing their recommended option, is from their report to council.
Option 2 – Modify the RF Zone by increasing the maximum floor area (i.e., house size), the floor area ratio (FAR) and the lot coverage allowance and include covered decks, covered patios and double height rooms in the FAR and floor area calculations.
Pros:
- Moves towards addressing the requests expressed by the Association;
- Addresses the demand for larger houses to accommodate extended families;
- May reduce the amount of unauthorized modifications to houses and thus result in fewer stop work orders and less related administration;
- Facilitates more efficient use of land;
- Eliminates to some extent the perceived inequities for owners of over-sized RF-zoned lots; and
- More consistent with the approach taken by other Metro Vancouver municipalities in relation to calculating density on single family lots.
Cons:
- Will apply City-wide and may result in the construction of houses that are out of context with a neighbourhood, which will bring complaints from others in the neighbourhood;
- Inconsistent with the changes that were made by the City in 1988, 1991, and 1995 to address complaints regarding the construction of large houses and, therefore, may be contrary to the wishes of many of the owners of RF-zoned lots;
- Inequities will remain between over-sized RF-zoned lots since a floor area restriction will remain in effect, although will be increased; and
- Public reaction is unknown
The full report includes a detailed background of the proposal, analysis of the petitioners and comparisons to other lower mainland municipalities. It is worth reading to get a better understanding of the issue and to see the other options the planners have presented to Council, though not recommended. Please read the notice regarding the public open houses (article below) to see the dates and locations of upcoming open houses.
Following is the link to the full report.
Report to Council re: Modifications to RF Zone to Allow Larger Homes