Amendments to the province’s Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendments Act aim to streamline the development approval process for local governments.
The proposed changes will remove the default requirement for municipalities to hold public hearings for zoning bylaw amendments that are consistent with an Official Community Plan, while also allowing municipalities to delegate minor development variance permit approvals to staff.
“Together, these proposed changes will provide the authority for local governments to improve their processes and help get homes built faster throughout the province,” the B.C. government said in a release.
Asked how the changes will apply to Whistler, and how they might impact public engagement, a municipal spokesperson said further examination will take place in the coming days.
“Overall, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) continues to look for efficiencies in the development review processes that enable projects to proceed, while utilizing available staff time on projects that have the most substantial impact on our community,” the spokesperson said.
“The RMOW continues to be committed to meaningful engagement with the community while also leveraging the clear guidance established through consultation on our Official Community Plan.”
