Times-Chronicle Staff

Oliver town staff are recommending some changes that could lead to more bylaw enforcement in the future.

Today, council is set to discuss proposed amendments to some bylaws regulating driveways, boulevard landscaping and parking.

In a report to council, director of development services Randy Houle recommended a change to the Traffic Bylaw to prohibit recreational vehicles, utility trailers and similar vehicles from being parked in boulevard areas.

He also recommended an amendment to standards including maximum driveway widths, and to implement a driveway permitting process.

Under the standards, each property is only allowed to have one driveway access.

Houle said the driveway provisions in the town’s bylaws have not been enforced in recent years, which has “led to both wider driveways and second driveways being installed without approval.”

He noted that unapproved driveways can pose safety challenges and negatively impact street aesthetics.

Houle said driveways could be constructed too close to powerlines, boulevard trees and fire hydrants, creating a hazard when turning in or backing out.

Wide driveways could also increase the amount of storm water run-off onto the road, he added.

“Wide driveways increase the likelihood of pedestrian/vehicle interaction,” Houle stated.

The director said a property owner on Spartan Street recently paved the entire width of their property and will be coming to council to ask for a variance to the building bylaw.

“Staff have noticed that this has occurred in other situations and no enforcement was pursued.”

Houle said boulevard landscaping has also escaped enforcement, leading to unauthorized paving and installation of landscape rock or boulders. He acknowledged that part of the reason residents have done this is because of irrigation costs.

Houle also pointed out that many boulevards are being used to store recreational vehicles or utility trailers.

“Many of the boulevards are also neglected, not landscaped, and a place for puncturevine and weeds to grow.”

Houle said some residents may not be aware that they are permitted to install grass, plants and flowers along these boulevards.

The director said rather than retroactively enforcing unauthorized driveway construction and boulevard landscaping, staff will provide education via brochures and in its next newsletter on social media.

Houle suggested several measures to improve safety and aesthetics in the community:

  • Requiring a tree to be planted in the front yard of every new home to reduce the amount of asphalt.
  • Prohibiting recreational vehicles and utility trailers from being parked in boulevard areas.
  • Require that boulevard plantings consist of a drought-tolerant species.
  • Recommend a six-metre maximum driveway width for residential properties, and a 10-metre maximum driveway width for commercial/industrial driveways.

Houle said a 9.1-metre driveway is excessive for a residential property.