Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-19
The City has adoped amendments to the Official Community Plan. Key updates include:
Synthetic Turf
The General Development Permit Area Guidelines have been updated to allow synthetic turf in limited circumstances where it supports functional outdoor space design. Previously, synthetic turf was prohibited.
Amenity Space
The Multifamily Residential Development Permit Area Guidelines have been revised to provide greater flexibility in amenity space design. Shared amenity spaces are no longer required, allowing developments to incorporate amenity areas that best meet resident’s needs.
Exemptions to Environmental Development Permits
A new exemption has been added to the Environmental Assessment Development Permit Area. Planning staff may now confirm that development is exempt from requiring a Development Permit where no natural environment is present, without requiring a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) report. This would apply to projects in previously developed areas.
For clarity, unauthorized works do not exempt a property from Environmental Development Permit requirements.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-21
The City has adopted amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. Key updates include:
Updates to Definitions
Definitions have been added, refined, and removed for clarity.
Landscaping and Screening
Chapter 5 (Landscaping and Screening) has been updated to allow synthetic turf and revise landscape buffer requirements to help separate incompatible uses.
Zone Specific Amendments
To align with industry standards and for ease of interpretation, changes to several zones have been included such as reduced amenity space and setbacks, and increased density, lot coverage, and permitted uses.
Questions? Please contact the Planning Department
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