A duplex proposed for Riverdale would take up 150 square metres more than is normally permitted for such a project.

"That's a mega-reduction there,” Coun. Dave Stockdale commented Monday evening after the proposal was brought forward for council's consideration.

George Clarke, who owns 2 Aishihik Rd., is applying to have the lot rezoned from Residential Single-Detached to a restricted zone that allows for the minimum lot size reduction.

That would enable him to have his duplex on two separate 228 square metre lots with an allowance for the non-conforming parking space.

The minimum lot size for duplexes is 372 square metres.

Currently, Clarke's single-storey, single-detached home takes up the full lot which would be subdivided into two parcels.

"Development plans are to convert the existing house into a duplex by building a separation wall and adding a second storey,” acting planning manager Pat Ross noted in a report on the proposal to council.

"Inspection by a city building inspector has confirmed the architectural feasibility of the project.”

The duplex would take up more space than is currently permitted on two separate duplex lots.

However, if it was sold as a condominium, there would be no need for the zoning change, as condo units are not treated as fee simple lots, Ross told council when questioned by Mayor Dan Curtis.

Having a side-by-side duplex on separate lots also requires each of the two units to have a parking spot.

"A new (second) off-street parking space is therefore required for the southern half of the duplex,” Ross stated in the report.

"The applicant is proposing an access drive from the adjacent laneway which would lead to a parking space that would rest adjacent to the east side of the residence.

"Since the lane is gravel-surfaced, both the access drive and parking space may also have gravel surfacing.”

The proposed restriction for the non-conforming parking space is for the spot that's currently used at the home. Under current regulations, there's no parking beyond the front yard setback.

"The existing driveway on the property does not currently lead to a permitting parking stall and is considered existing, non-conforming in this respect but would need to be brought into compliance as part of the subdivision process,” notes the report.

"This would require significant modifications to the building, and therefore the applicant is requesting that the existing parking in the driveway be allowed under the zoning amendment.”

Separate water and sewer lines into each residence would also be required along with electrical easements.

Questioned by Stockdale, Brian Crist, the city's director of operations and infrastructure, estimated most water and sewer hookups cost between $6,000 and $15,000, depending on the work that has to be done,

Ross said he believes in this case, it would be more in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, with services having to be installed across a roadway.

The first reading of the bylaw is set to come forward next week.

As Stockdale reminded his counterparts, often first reading goes ahead to get a matter to the public input stage.

Approving first reading of the bylaw doesn't necessarily indicate council's support for a project.

"It will be interesting to see what the neighbourhood thinks,” Stockdale said.

If first reading is approved, a public hearing would be held at the Jan. 14 council meeting.

A report on the hearing would then come forward the following week, with second and third readings then being voted on at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Though it's expected the public hearing will occur, Porter Creek resident Cam Kos spoke up last night when council asked if anyone in the gallery wanted to speak.

To reduce the lot size by 40 per cent over what's permitted, Kos argued, "is setting a very dangerous precedent.”

It could create a number of issues for future developments around the city, Kos warned council.