TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COW REPORT: Regional Sustainability Strategy

Regional Sustainability Strategy

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT this report be received for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To provide Council with an update on an emerging policy issue in the Chilco/Mill Hill area as a result of Regional Sustainability Strategy policy direction.

TIME CRITICAL:

Moderate. A draft of the RSS for review by municipal councils is anticipated this year.

BACKGROUND:

In September 2011 Council adopted a new Official Community Plan. The plan included a number of maps and policy statements with respect to future development. The Regional Context Statement within the plan was accepted by the CRD Board prior to adoption.

The OCP includes an urban containment boundary that bi-sects a number of properties within the Chilco/Mill Hill neighbourhood. An excerpt from the OCP is included on the next page for reference. In the current RGS, the Regional Urban Containment Servicing Provision Area (RUCSPA) line includes more of the lands in this area than the Town's OCP does.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

With the ongoing review of the Regional Sustainability Strategy, the proposed servicing provision area is likely to be moved to be consistent with the OCP. This will have the long term effect of severely limiting future development in this area to Rural or very large lot development only, and will likely limit access to water and sewer services beyond this line. If a rezoning application for higher density development is received for the two remaining large blocks of land, it is also possible that a RSS amendment may also be required.

A draft of the RSS policy statements and related maps have not yet been circulated to municipal staff or Councils. When these documents are received, Council may wish to give special attention to these areas in order to consider the medium and long term implications of future policy directions.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

No implications at this time. Should Council wish to consider policy amendments to the OCP, some costs will be incurred.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS:

At this time, there are no concrete policy implications. This report is intended to make Council aware of a proposed RSS policy change that could have implications for long term development within the Town. It is also intended to facilitate dialogue amongst Council so that staff who are engaged in the RSS process are able to better represent Town interests at coming meetings.

SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

The Town's Official Community Plan

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

• If the current policy in the OCP is supported by Council, no further consideration of this issue is necessary.
• If Council wishes to further consider this matter a resolution for consideration might include a request for an additional report once the draft RSS is released, including more detailed information on servicing capacity and land use impacts.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT this report be received for information.

SUBMITTED BY: Lindsay Chase, Director of Development Services

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer