Proposed legislative amendments introduced on October 26, 2021, as part of Bill 26, Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, provide local governments with new options to streamline development approvals processes.
The amendments will update the Local Government Act to:
- remove the default requirement for local governments to hold public hearings for zoning bylaw amendments that are consistent with the official community plan; and
- enable local governments to delegate decisions on minor development variance permits to staff.
These proposed changes were discussed in consultation with local governments, developers and housing advocates as well as other stakeholders as part of the Province’s Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR), which aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of development approvals to help increase housing supply.
The proposed amendment to public hearing requirements broadly aligns with the intent of a recommendation in UBCM’s 2018 housing strategy to review the process for rezoning property. UBCM will continue to engage with the Province as further changes to the development approvals processes are considered.
More information on the proposed amendments are presented in the Province’s News Release and Information Bulletin.