Copy of a retired meteorologist's Quest runoff concerns sent to Oak Bay's Manager of Plannin

Ms Jensen

Manager of Planning

While walking up to pay my taxes on Thursday I paused to study a redevelopment proposal for 2326 Oak Bay Avenue. The plan seemed to suggest that the entire lot would be covered by a structure with very little set back from the avenue. This is in marked contrast to the current dwelling which has a substantial area of lawn and garden. This vegetation and the associated soil acts as a buffer that absorbs rainfall and reduces runoff during heavy rainfall events. It would appear that the surface of the new proposal is almost entirely impervious to water and this change has the potential to significantly increase the runoff to adjacent properties.

Urban runoff is of concern to me because as a meteorologist (retired) for Environment Canada I was required to conduct a number of studies of heavy rainfall events that resulted in localized flooding in the City of Vancouver. The percentage of the lot that was covered by an impervious surface was a contributing factor to flooding. In the local building codes, what is the maximum percentage of the building lot that can be covered by an impervious surface? I do hope that this has been considered in the approval process. I would not want the District of Oak Bay to be in anyway responsible for flooding of adjacent properties which have sub grade residences. It could result in higher taxes.

Reg Dunkley