COQUITLAM, B.C., January 30, 2024 – How the public shares their views on housing and land use is changing as the City works to comply with new provincial legislation.
Last night, Coquitlam City Council took the first steps to modify the City’s Development Procedures Bylaw in response to the B.C. government’s recently introduced legislation. These changes, which are necessary to comply with the Province’s Bill 44, will eliminate public hearings for housing projects that are consistent with the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP).
Provincial Legislation Changes Requirements for Public Hearings
On November 30, 2023, Bill 44 was one of a number of Bills introduced by the provincial government aimed at streamlining the delivery of more housing, services and infrastructure for growing communities in British Columbia. As part of this, the province made changes to the Local Government Act, including phasing out the need for public hearings on housing projects.
Traditionally, municipalities were required to hold public hearings for most types of housing, rezoning and land use changes. This provided all affected residents a chance to express their views and opinions to their local government.
The provincial changes to the Local Government Act, introduced through provincial legislation, will apply to all rezoning applications that had not received first reading before November 30, 2023. To comply with the province’s Bill 44, public hearings will no longer be allowed for:
- Residential rezoning applications consistent with the Official Community Plan
- Amendments to the zoning bylaw that facilitates Small Scale Multi Unit Housing (i.e. laneway homes, triplexes, fourplexes, sixplexes)
- Mixed-use projects consistent with the Official Community Plan, where at least 50% of the project is residential
Future Public Notification of Zoning Changes
While public hearings are mostly eliminated, the new rules still require the City to notify the public of zoning changes. This will include:
- Mailing notifications to owners and tenants of properties undergoing rezoning, as well as people who live within 100 meters
- Posting a notice on the City’s website (coquitlam.ca/PublicNotices) or through the City’s email subscription service (coquitlam.ca/NotifyMe)
- Displaying a development application sign on the site
These notifications aim to inform residents and interested parties about proposed developments and the date when Council will consider the application.
The public is also able to get information on future developments through the City’s Development Information Portal.
Additional Process Changes
For rezoning applications not requiring a public hearing, the new regulations permit Council to grant first, second, and third readings, as well as final adoption, at the same meeting.
Going forward, the City will only be able to hold a public hearing for very specific circumstances including:
- A bylaw to establish or amend the Official Community Plan
- A zoning bylaw amendment that is not consistent with the Official Community Plan
- A phased development agreement bylaw
- A bylaw for heritage revitalization agreements and designation of heritage properties
Find more information on the changes to local government legislation on housing on the Province’s website.
Local Impacts of Provincial Housing Legislation Changes
In November 2023, the Provincial Government enacted legislation that will significantly change the way housing is planned and developed throughout British Columbia, including in Coquitlam.
These changes affect the approval process for residential projects allowing density increases beyond what has traditionally been allowed in Coquitlam neighbourhoods. These changes are mandated by the Province with the intent of addressing affordability by creating more housing supply.
As a City we want to ensure that you are aware of these changes and how they will affect the growth and development of Coquitlam.
Find more information on the Province’s website.
Media Contact
Andrew Merrill
General Manager, Planning and Development
DevInfo@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3430
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.