REQUEST FOR DECISION
MEETING DATE: September 10, 2025 Report No. DRC-25-010
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 (DPA) Guidelines
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Design Review Committee recommend that Council either approve the draft DPA Guidelines, or approve the draft DPA Guidelines with conditions.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Council authorized staff to proceed with the OCP Recalibration at their July 7, 2025, meeting (Appendix “D”). Staff request that the Design Review Committee review and provide comments on the draft DPA Guidelines (Appendix “A” and “B”) that are part of the OCP Recalibration.
BACKGROUND:
Council endorsed the OCP Recalibration project at their July 7, 2025, meeting (Appendix “D”). Staff are requesting the Design Review Committee provide feedback on proposed changes to the DPA Guidelines (Appendix “A” and “B”):
• 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)
The proposed DPA Guidelines are in Appendix “A”. A Track Changes version of the DPA Guidelines are in Appendix “B”, showing the proposed changes. Staff have prepared a table that describes the proposed changes in Appendix “C”. This table can be read together with the Track Changes version in Appendix “B” to better understand the proposed changes.
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 DPA 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 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 with a mandatory completion date by December 2030.
OPTIONS:
1. That the Design Review Committee recommend that Council approve the draft DPA Guidelines in Appendix “A”.
2. That the Design Review Committee recommend that Council approve the draft DPA Guidelines in Appendix “A”, with conditions.
Note that there is no option presented for recommendation to Council for denial, given that there is a statutory requirement to include these in the draft Official Community Plan.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
The OCP 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. Bill Brown, Director of Development Services, Reviewed
3. Victoria McKean, Committee Coordinator, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Appendix “A” draft DPA Guidelines
2. Appendix “B” draft DPA Guidelines - Track Changes version
3. Appendix “C” Table describing proposed changes to DPA Guidelines
4. Appendix “D” July 7, 2025, Council Meeting Staff Report (DEV-25-031)
5. Appendix “E” Staff Presentation