FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT: BILL 44-2023 PUBLIC MEETING – WHAT WE HEARD REPORT

BILL 44-2023 PUBLIC MEETING – WHAT WE HEARD REPORT

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated December 6, 2023, from the Director of Corporate Administration/Acting CAO titled “Bill 44-2023 Public Meeting – What We Heard Report” be received for information.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee of Whole with a summary of the information received by the Town in response to the public meeting it hosted on November 23, 2023 regarding the Province’s Bill 44-2023.

BACKGROUND:

At its November 7, 2023 meeting, View Royal Council discussed Bill 44-2023, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 as a new business item. An excerpt from the meeting minutes is as follows:

a) Province of British Columbia’s Bill 44-2023

1. Proposed motion from Councillor Lemon

Councillor Lemon stated her concerns regarding Bill 44-2023, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023, overriding municipal zoning requirements and eliminating the need for public hearings for small-scale, multi-unit developments on residential lots in the absence of public engagement.

Council discussed holding a public meeting and potential desired outcomes of such an event.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon
SECONDED: Councillor Brown

C-144-23 THAT a Town Hall meeting be held on November 23, 2023 to hear the concerns from residents regarding the Province of British Columbia’s Bill 44-2023, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023;

AND THAT the Mayor write to Premier David Eby; Hon. Mitzi Dean, MLA; Minister Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing; and Michael Pickup, Auditor General, urging them to halt readings on this legislation until fulsome public engagement has been completed with municipalities and their residents;

AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this letter be provided to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and all Mayors and Council in British Columbia.

CARRIED

DISCUSSION:

To ensure the community knew about and could participate in the public meeting, newspaper ads were placed (Goldstream Gazette on November 22, 2023, Times Colonist on November 23, 2023, and Island Social Trends digital ad) and details regarding the public meeting and online survey were promoted on the Town’s social media sites and Town website between November 9 and November 23. As well, hand flyers that advertised the public meeting were delivered by some View Royal residents and elected officials beginning November 17.

The attached report – Attachment “A” entitled “Bill 44-2023 Public Meeting – What We Heard Report” – summarizes the information received by the Town and includes:

• notes made at the November 23, 2023 public meeting;
• written comments submitted by attendees at the November 23, 2023 public meeting;
• written correspondence received by the Town of View Royal through letters and emails on the topic; and
• survey results from the online survey posted November 21-December 1, including the verbatim comments provided by respondents.

CONCLUSION:

The Province has now passed Bill 44-2023 on November 30, 2023 (date of Royal Assent) and anticipates providing municipalities with a small-scale, multi-unit housing policy manual and regulations in December 2023. It will be important for View Royal to review this information and measure the impacts it will mean for the community. The Province requires local governments to update zoning bylaws to accommodate small-scale, multi-unit housing requirements by June 30, 2024.

In addition to the above, local governments must complete an interim Housing Needs Assessment and update their Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws in accordance with the following timeline:

• December 31, 2024: Local governments must have completed their interim Housing Needs Report; and
• December 31, 2025: Municipalities must have completed their first review and update of their Official Community Plans and zoning bylaws (based on the interim Housing Needs Report).

It is anticipated that Council will be able to consider more fully next steps early in 2024 once the information has been received, reviewed, and staff have been able to evaluate resources and requirements. At that time, staff can then bring forward a proposal for an approach with options for Council’s consideration.

Attachments: Attachment “A” – What We Heard Report