On Thursday council amended its Land Use Procedure Bylaw to align it with provincial rules prohibiting public hearings for certain residential development applications that are consistent with the Official Community Plan.
Victoria council has set the wheels in motion to better align its land-use regulations with provincial housing statutes that were enacted to speed up the pace of home building.
Public hearings will soon be required only for land-use changes that involve OCP bylaws and amendments or to establish bylaws for heritage revitalization agreements and designation of heritage properties. Council also directed staff to make changes to the bylaw for improved clarity, efficiency and transparency of the city’s land-use procedures.The motion passed with only Coun. Marg Gardiner in opposition. Gardiner said she can’t get behind stripping the public voice out of land-use decisions.
The province also set housing targets for municipalities around B.C. and challenged Victoria to complete 659 net new units in the first year and 4,902 over five years. “I’m afraid this council can’t take credit for it because it’s basically owing to the decisions of previous councils,” said Coun. Dave Thompson. “Still, I think that this reflects the tone of the current council, and I expect our numbers will rise considerably. And so I hope that we will see bold policy change as we’ve directed in the past, to bring more housing along more quickly.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
VIDEO: Energy ready to burst in Vancouver Island public orchardLifecycles land near Victoria cultivates community connections to land, each other
Read more »
Cape Breton Eagles look to land first overall pick at QMJHL draft lottery on ThursdayExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
Victoria brings land-use bylaw into alignment with new provincial lawOn Thursday council amended its Land Use Procedure Bylaw to align it with provincial rules prohibiting public hearings for certain residential development applications that are consistent with the Official Community Plan.
Read more »
B.C. Transit CEO among leaders honoured by Greater Victoria Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce handed out its 2024 Greater Victoria Business Awards on Tuesday.
Read more »
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran’s cemetery, receives 21-gun salutePrincess also set to visit the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association
Read more »
Comprehensive coverage of the PGA Championship starts Thursday on TSNThe second of the four majors in golf is fast approaching with the PGA Championship set to begin on May 16 from the Valhalla Golf Course in Kentucky with a purse of $17.5 million.
Read more »