Staff Report: Delegation of Garden Suite Form and Character Development Permits and Development Permit Renewals

DELEGATION OF GARDEN SUITE FORM AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PERMITS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT RENEWALS

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated June 24, 2024, titled “Delegation of Garden Suite Form and Character Development Permits and Development Permit Renewals” prepared by the Senior Planner be received.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to introduce amendments to the Delegation Bylaw No. 872, 2015, to allow staff to authorize and execute garden suite form and character development permits and development permit renewals.

TIME CRITICAL:

This report is not time critical; however, the proposed amendments to the Delegation Bylaw would assist with streamlining the development approval processes for garden suites, a new rental housing form permitted on lots zoned for single-family dwelling.

BACKGROUND:

Under the provincial housing legislation introduced through Bill 44 – 2023 and the Provincial Policy Manual and Site Standards guidelines, municipalities are encouraged to look at ways to improve development approval processes.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 11, 2024, staff introduced proposed changes to Delegation Bylaw No. 872, 2015 that would give the Director of Development Services the authority to approve garden suite and small-scale, multi-unit housing development permits (up to six units) with no variances, and development permit renewals (see Attachment 3). The Committee passed the following motion:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the necessary bylaw amendment be prepared to grant delegated authority to the Director of Development Services to approve the following:

1. Form and character development permits for garden suites within Intensive Residential – Garden Suite Development Permit Area.
2. The renewal of an existing valid development permit subject to the following conditions:
   • The permit being renewed must be unlapsed at the time of application;
   • The plans must be unchanged from the original approved development permit, unless the changes are for consistency with new policies or regulations in which case a delegated development permit renewal does not apply; and
   • The permit be valid for two years from the date of issuance.

Council ratified the above motion at the Regular Meeting of Council on June 18, 2024.

DISCUSSION:

Staff have prepared Delegation Bylaw No. 872, 2015, Amendment Bylaw No. 1140, 2024 in accordance with Council’s motion. The proposed amendments would delegate authority to staff to approve form and character development permits for garden suites, without variances, as well as all development permit renewals, provided that the requested renewal is unlapsed and the permit is consistent with the approved plans.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Should Council move forward with adoption of the proposed amendments, it is expected that the amount of staff time and resources required to administer garden suite form and character development permits and development permit renewals would be reduced.

Current permit fees would remain unchanged, and a permit fee would still be required for a delegated development permit application and renewal.

ALTERNATIVES:

There are no alternatives for consideration in this report.

CONCLUSION:

Should Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Delegation Bylaw, it is anticipated that the existing development approval process will be further streamlined, and these refinements would improve operational efficiencies and allow the Town to continue to provide exceptional service delivery.

Delegation Bylaw No. 872, 2015, Amendment Bylaw No. 1140, 2024 has been prepared for first, second and third reading at the Regular Meeting of Council on July 2, 2024.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Delegation Bylaw No. 872, 2015, Amendment Bylaw No. 1140, 2024
2. Redline Delegation Bylaw No. 872, 2015, Amendment Bylaw No. 1140, 2024
3. Committee of the Whole Staff Report, June 11, 2024