REQUEST FOR DECISION
MEETING DATE: July 9, 2025 Report No. DRC-25-009
TO: Design Review Committee
FROM: Jakub Lisowski, Planner II Policy, Development Services
SUBJECT: Official Community Plan (OCP) Recalibration 2025 - Review of draft Development Permit Area Guidelines
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Design Review Committee recommend that Council approve the draft Development Permit Area Guidelines.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Council authorized to proceed with the OCP Recalibration at their July 7, 2025, meeting (Appendix “B”). Staff request that the Design Review Committee review and provide comments on the draft Development Permit Area Guidelines (Appendix “A”) that are part of the OCP Recalibration.
BACKGROUND:
Council endorsed the OCP Recalibration at their July 7, 2025, meeting (Appendix “B”). Staff are requesting the Design Review Committee provide feedback on several sections of the Development Permit Area Guidelines have been significantly revised:
• General: Regulations and Exemptions (17.1-17.3)
• Natural Environment (DPA No. 1)
• Protection of Development From Hazardous Conditions (DPA No. 2)
• Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (DPA No. 3) - formerly titled Enhanced Design Control Residential
• Commercial (DPA No. 4)
• Multi-family Residential (DPA No. 6)
• Energy Conservation & Greenhouse Gas Reduction (DPA No. 7)
• Water Conservation (DPA No. 8)
Chronology:
• November 30, 2023: Bill 44 Housing Statutes (Residential Development Act) received Royal Assent.
• September 23, 2024: As part of the Council Priorities Plan mid-term refresh, Council instructed staff to arrange for further in-depth discussion of the OCP.
• October 21, 2024: The Committee of the Whole recommended that Council direct staff to initiate Options 1, 2, and 3 for the OCP Recalibration.
• October 28, 2024: Council directed staff to initiate Options 1, 2, and 3 for the OCP Recalibration.
• November 25, 2024: Housing Needs Report completed and approved by Council.
• May 2023 - June 2025: Review of Development Permit Area Guidelines
• June 16, 2025: The Committee of the Whole recommended that Council direct staff to endorse the draft Project Sign-off and proceed with the OCP Recalibration.
• June 17, 2025: The Advisory Planning Commission recommended that Council proceed with the OCP Recalibration.
• July 7: Council directed staff to proceed with the OCP Recalibration.
ANALYSIS:
Council is aware of the need for amendments but at the same time expressed a desire to avoid a situation where the scope of an OCP Recalibration would extend the project into 2026.
A more comprehensive and substantial revision of the OCP is planned to begin in 2026 or 2027 with a mandatory completion date by December 2030.
OPTIONS:
• That the Design Review recommend that Council approve the draft Development Permit Area Guidelines in Appendix “A”.
• That the Design Review recommend that Council approve the draft Development Permit Area Guidelines in Appendix “A”, with amendments.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
The Official Community Plan Recalibration is identified as a project under the “Housing” priority in the Council Priorities Plan 2023-2026.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. James Davison, Manager of Development Services, Reviewed
2. Victoria McKean, Committee Coordinator, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Appendix “A” draft Development Permit Area Guidelines)
2. Appendix “B” July 7, 2025, Council Meeting Staff Report (DEV-25-031)