At Committee of the Whole on January 27, Council endorsed staff proceeding with industry consultation on an updated Subdivision and Development Control (SDC) Bylaw. As part of this project, staff have focused the update on three primary areas:

• Level of Service - Urban and transitional areas follow Downtown Streetscape Standards, while more flexible, lower-cost standards are proposed for suburban areas where appropriate. Water and sanitary sewer servicing requirements remain unchanged;
• Administrative Changes - The SDC Bylaw update streamlines procedures to improve transparency, efficiency, and consistency in development application reviews. It introduces clearer, more accessible processes suited to both large subdivisions and small infill projects. It reorganizes content into a workflow-based format to support easier navigation and future digital processes. Administrative and technical engineering details currently contained in bylaw schedules would be delegated to staff-level policies and manuals; and
• Design and Construction Standards - The District’s design standards are currently based on the Master Municipal Construction Documents (MMCD) Design Guidelines and Construction Specifications, with District-specific modifications. The report proposes MMCD alignment, supporting consistency, quality, and reduced risk in municipal infrastructure through standardized tendering, clear expectations, and improved lifecycle performance:
  • As part of this update, a new stand-alone Design Criteria Manual is proposed. While grounded in MMCD content and structure, it would replace the current supplementary approach and incorporate District-specific priorities and recent planning initiatives, including accessibility, water, transportation, and floodplain management plans.

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