New rules mulled to curb West Vancouver's 'monster houses'

A 17,500-square-foot home being built in West Vancouver was the example often cited Monday night during a council discussion about monster houses and what can happen without enough regulations.

Some council members said it's time to consider limits on the maximum size of houses allowed in the municipality - even on large lots.

The district is looking for ways to have new developments conform to the character of established neighbourhoods to stave off the rise of monster homes.

Council members discussed the issue this week after hearing from Bob Sokol, director of

planning and lands for West Vancouver, on what the public had to say during consultation about monster houses and retaining public boulevards.

"People are concerned about buildings that go straight up without much variety in the facade," Sokol said. "They're concerned about the preservation of established landscapes."

Sokol suggested using incentives for "good development," rather than bringing in square-footage caps on new single-family houses as a means to reign in larger houses.

Staff could explore ways

to curb monster house designs by removing floor area exemptions for garages and basements for example, he said.

But council members indicated they think limiting the size of houses might be what's in order.

Coun. Craig Cameron said he understood Sokol's idea of creating economic incentives to subdivide large lots instead of building monster homes, but "anybody building a 10,000-or 17,000-square-foot home doesn't give a hoot about incentives."

"They don't have a need for three 3,500-squarefoot houses," he said. "The incentives would have to be so punitive that they would want to move to another community, which we don't want them to do."

West Vancouver is already considered one of the more complicated communities in the region to build in, according to Sokol's report.

The idea of setting a cap is a welcome one, said Coun. Nora Gambioli.

"I totally agree that we need to have a maximum square footage in houses in West Vancouver and if it's tough to get to the number - well, I'm willing to have that tough discussion," she said.

Coun. Mary-Ann Booth noted in the last 10 years, the District of North Vancouver has limited the maximum size of singlefamily homes. She said a friend of hers was "quite put out" when she couldn't build as big a home as she wanted on a large lot.

Council directed staff to prepare a draft of zoning bylaw changes regarding floor area exemptions, plus further draft rules about retaining walls aimed at regulating landscaping, by September.

Staff will also report back on other alternatives to address monster houses by early next year.

The process is expected to include further extensive public consultation, said Mayor Michael Smith.