On April 14, Council generally approved and referred amendments to Public Hearing relating to fast-tracking rental and small hotels in the City. The report proposes to consolidate several existing commercial zones (C-2, C-2B, C-2C, and C-2C1) into a new, simplified C-2A mixed-use district, affecting over 2,300 properties. 

The new zoning would allow 6-storey rental buildings in most areas and up to 8 storeys in transit-oriented locations, eliminating the need for site-specific rezonings. This is intended to support the delivery of low-rise market rental housing near commercial corridors. The changes would also enable small-scale hotel development outside the downtown core through a development permit process.

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