April 2025 Radium Hot Springs OCP Poster Boards - Flipbook - Page 7
ENVIRONMENTAL & HAZARD
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREAS
Flood Hazard DPA
Applicability: “Floodplains” means all lands within the 1:200
year (0.5% probability of annual occurrence) floodplains of the
Columbia River as shown on the Flood Hazard DPA Map that
are subject to regular flood hazards. Lands subject to regular
flood hazards have planning requirements and regulations,
including the policies in this section as well as provincial and
federal laws.
Exemptions: The Floodplain DPA
may not apply in areas protected
by dikes or other flood protection
infrastructure that meet the Village’s
flood mitigation standards.
Key Policies
1.
The “Flood Hazard DPA”, shall remain free of development and in its current
condition unless the proposed development is supported by a report from
a “Qualified Professional (QP)” which demonstrates the land is suitable for
the proposed development and provides recommendations to mitigate any
identified risk to the safety of life and property.
4.
Locate structures as close as possible to the
landward edge of floodplain properties to limit
the length of driveways, utility corridors and
other infrastructure within floodplain lands to
the greatest extent possible.
2.
Where possible, reduce the flood hazard to existing permanent structures on
the property by:
5.
Refrain from filling low-lying areas within
floodplains that provide flood attenuation or
riparian and wetland habitat.
5.
Maintain and/or restore vegetation within the
required riparian area setback to minimize
erosion.
6.
Retain standing dead trees with wildlife
habitat attributes where they do not pose
hazards to the development or the risk can
be appropriately mitigated in accordance
with the recommendations of a “Qualified
Environmental Professional (QEP)”.
7.
Incorporate plants native to British Columbia
and the Radium area, and select them in
accordance to Wildfire fuel reduction strategies
wherever possible.
a) Adding scour protection around foundations; and
b) Raising the habitable space and utility systems (e.g. electrical panels, heating
and cooling units) to flood construction levels or higher.
3.
Require developments to refrain from altering natural flow, flood storage or
attenuation, or other natural floodplain processes.
Riparian Area DPA
Applicability: The Riparian & Habitat DPA represents areas
identified from surface water layers within Provincial databases,
which include Lakes, Rivers, Streams, and Wetlands. High-value
habitat areas are identified from Schedule B in Radium Hot
Springs Bylaw No. 396, 2013. These areas are shown on the
Riparian Area DPA Map.
Key Policies
1.
Require development and all associated clearing, grading and landscaping to
be a minimum of:
a) 60 metres from the “Natural Boundary” of the Columbia River;
b) 30 metres from the “Natural Boundary” of creeks and streams; and
c) 30m from the “Natural Boundary” of wetlands.
2.
Where, through mapping error or scale, the proponent identifies that the
classes or boundaries of Riparian Areas may be incorrect, require the proponent
to retain a “Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP)” to map and confirm
current boundaries and buffers, and submit the results to the Village.
3.
Notify senior government agencies through referral where development or land
clearing is understood to be occurring within or adjacent to critical habitat for
endangered and threatened species.
4.
Require developments to avoid sensitive areas and mitigate any impacts on the
riparian area, sensitive ecosystem, or stream flow, drainage patterns and channel
geometry.
Steep Slope DPA
Applicability: As generally shown on the Steep Slope DPA Map includes:
Steep slopes are considered all lands that have a slope greater than 20% grade. Buffer Areas around
steep slopes include both the toe of the slope and top of bank to a maximum of 30 metres. The width
of the buffer zone can vary depending on the specific hazards present, the sensitivity of the surrounding
environment, and the development context. In some cases, a qualified professional may recommend a
larger buffer than the minimum prescribed in the regulations to address site-specific conditions.
Key Policies
1.
Steep slopes, understood to be lands with a natural slope in excess of 20%,
shall remain free of development and in their natural condition.
2.
Steep slope buffer areas, understood to be lands up to 30 metres from the
top and toe of the slope, shall remain free of development and in their natural
condition until a report prepared by a QP outlines how development can
proceed.
3.
Notwithstanding the policies above, where the steep slope area renders a
property undevelopable, development may be permissible in accordance
with a report provided by a “Qualified Professional (QP)” that is registered as
a schedule of a S.219 restrictive covenant:
a) Identifying a safe minimum setback;
b) Detailing how the development will mitigate erosion, land slip, rock falls
or subsidence;
c) Explanation of how the development will not pose hazards to developments on or near the site; and
d) Includes a statement that no liability or maintenance requirements
will become the responsibility of the Village at any time.
4.
Require developments to mitigate any potential erosion, landslip,
rock falls or subsidence and to avoid posing any hazards to other
developments or public roadways near the site.
5.
Construct accesses to minimize slope disturbance.
6.
Avoid directing stormwater, placing fill, excavated material, sand or soil
near the top of slope.
7.
Require a stormwater management plan prepared by a “Qualified
Professional (QP)” to limit impervious surface and manage erosion,
sediment, and run-off as per the Village’s “Subdivision and
Development Servicing Bylaw” for any development in the “Steep
Slopes DPA.”
8.
To reduce the potential of slope failure, the removal of vegetation
within the “Steep Slopes DPA” is not permitted unless reviewed
and supported by a “Qualified Professional (QP)”, including any
recommendations to mitigate any negative impacts to the natural
environment.
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