February 27th, 2024

As mentioned in previous updates, on February 20th, Council adopted proposed amendments to the Public Hearing Meeting Bylaw. In response to recent legislation regarding housing and development made by the Provincial Government, amendments are proposed to the City’s Public Hearing/Public Information Bylaw to comply with Bill 44.

The changes are as follows:

• s.7 is amended to include: "A public hearing is required for an amendment to the Official Community Plan, and may be held for certain amendments to the Zoning Bylaw."
• s.7.3.1 is added: "If Council will consider a Zoning Bylaw without holding a public hearing, the City will publish a notice in advance of first reading of the bylaw, in accordance with the Local Government Act.

More information can be found in the full report by City staff.

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February 13th, 2024

On February 6th, Council gave three readings to proposed amendments to the Public Hearing Meeting Bylaw. In response to recent legislation regarding housing and development made by the Provincial Government, amendments are proposed to the City’s Public Hearing/Public Information Bylaw to comply with Bill 44.

The changes are as follows:

• s.7 is amended to include: "A public hearing is required for an amendment to the Official Community Plan, and may be held for certain amendments to the Zoning Bylaw." 
• s.7.3.1 is added: "If Council will consider a Zoning Bylaw without holding a public hearing, the City will publish a notice in advance of first reading of the bylaw, in accordance with the Local Government Act.

In addition to the above minor changes, procedural changes are recommended for those applications where a Public Hearing is prohibited. These changes are as follows:

• Public Input – Applicant and public input concerning a rezoning application can be submitted in advance of first reading. Prior to first reading, applicants conduct independent neighborhood engagement and the City issues a notice of bylaw change, inviting an opportunity for input via written submissions.
• Bylaw Adoption – Council can give 1st, 2nd, 3rd readings of the bylaw at one meeting and adopt the bylaw at a subsequent meeting
• Altering & Adopting Bylaw/Referring Matters to Staff – Council can alter a bylaw at any time between first and third readings provided that the alterations do not:
  • Change use;
  • Increase density;
  • Decrease density (without owner’s consent); or
  • Change residential rental tenure.

More information can be found in the full report by City staff.