At their regular meeting on December 15th Council gave first and second readings to the bylaws that would implement the Provincial housing legislation and a component of the Affordable Housing Accelerator initiative under the Housing Accelerator Fund. In November 2023, the Provincial Government introduced wide ranging legislative changes that govern how municipalities plan for and approve new development. In February 2024, the City was awarded an $11.4 million grant from the Housing Accelerator Fund program established by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This report outlines the Official Community Plan (OCP) update to implement the requirements of the Provincial housing legislation, and the related Housing Accelerator Fund commitments for the Affordable Housing Accelerator initiative.  

This report is presented in three Sections:  

1. Transit Oriented Development Areas: Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas are a Provincial initiative that require municipalities to permit a certain level of residential height and density within 800 metres of a SkyTrain station. The proposed OCP Amendment Bylaw would update the OCP to align with the legislation through changes to the land use designations and land use designation map.  
2. Affordable Housing Accelerator: The Affordable Housing Accelerator initiative aims to reduce regulatory barriers, streamline approval processes, and unlock opportunities for affordable housing projects of up to six storeys that are entirely owned and operated by registered non-profit rental housing providers or housing co-ops. A Zoning Bylaw Amendment would pre-zone properties in the TOD Areas to permit projects under set conditions.  
3. Other Official Community Plan Changes: Under the new Provincial Housing Legislation, the City is required to update the OCP by incorporating the findings of the 2024-2044 Interim Housing Needs Report. 

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