Government Relations Update #531

Diana Dilworth, Director of Government Relations

Jay Chadha, Manager of Policy and Research

GRU #531

METRO WEST

For Your Information

As part of the Draft 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan, Burnaby City Council will discuss a potential 4.5% property tax increase for 2024 at their Special Council meeting on 6 November. The corresponding report outlines the adjustments made by staff to reduce the proposed property tax rate increase from 8.44% to 4.50% for 2024.

Burnaby's proposed 2024 meeting dates for Council, Public Hearings, and Advisory Bodies and Boards are on the agenda for the city's Council meeting on 6 November.

NORTHEAST SECTOR

For Your Information

Maple Ridge's updated Public Hearing Waiver Procedures Bylaw, Public Hearing Procedures Amending Bylaw, Council Procedures Amending Bylaw, and Criteria for Waiving Public Hearing and Notification Process are up for first, second, and third readings at the city's Committee of the Whole meeting on 7 November.

A report on 'Strengthening the City’s Approach to Managing the Impacts of Construction' is on the agenda for Coquitlam's Council-in-Committee meeting on 6 November.

On the agenda for Pitt Meadows' Public Council meeting on 7 November is a report on the city's Development Application Fee Bylaw and Residential Community Amenity Contribution Policy Update. The city is proposing the following CAC increases:

Single Family - $4,500 to $5,200
Townhouse - $4,000 to $4,600
Apartment - $3,000 to $3,500

SOUTH OF FRASER

For Your Information

Delta's proposed 2023 Development Cost Charges Program is up for discussion a their Regular Council meeting on 6 November. The city is proposing a phased approach and if approved, the 2023 DCC Program rates with a 20% Municipal Assist Factor will come into force immediately after final adoption of the proposed DCC Bylaw while the DCC rates with a 1% Municipal Assist Factor will come into force at adoption of the proposed
DCC Bylaw plus one calendar year.

White Rock's proposed 2024 Fees and Charges Bylaw is up for first, second and third readings at the city's Regular Council Meeting on 6 November. The proposed Planning and Development fees can be found in Schedule A (pg. 36).

The City of Surrey has announced that they have successfully taken legal action against six property owners who have illegally constructed buildings without permits, and in many cases have occupied the structures without permits and violated the BC Building Code.

NORTH SHORE

For Your Information

North Vancouver District's proposed 2024 Development and Permitting fees are up for discussion at their Regular Council meeting on 6 November (pg. 76). Also, the district's Proposed Changes to Secondary Suite Regulations are up for second and third readings (pg. 235).

REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL

For Your Information

This week Minister Kahlon introduced Bill 44, part of the Homes for People Action Plan, proposing significant changes in housing legislation. The bill aims to allow up to six units on single-family lots, including secondary suites, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and laneway homes. By June 30, 2024 municipalities with over 5,000 people are required to enact bylaws allowing 3-4 units on lots currently zoned for single-family/duplex use, depending on lot size, and up to 6 units on larger lots close to transit stops with frequent service. Additional density is allowed at the discretion of municipalities, but not below provincially-allowed units. Additionally, the proposed changes will also phase out one-off public hearings for rezonings for housing projects that are consistent and aligned with the OCPs.

Following up from the province's announcement, some Metro Vancouver mayors stated that the new policy could end up costing municipalities millions as pre-zoning properties for 3-6 units would mean they will be unable to capture CACs through the rezoning process. Never enough CACs and DCCs I guess...

From the Daily Hive - Metro Vancouver's urban planning considerations need to prioritize urban economics, says renowned planner.

The recently released CHBA Q3 Housing Market Index (HMI) for single-family and multi-family developments fell in the third quarter of 2023, which means much less housing supply in the quarters ahead. Additionally, CHBA reports on the well-established link between the Bank of Canada’s policy rate path and HMI builder sentiment.

At a news conference this week, Housing Minister Sean Fraser stated that the federal government will reveal more housing measures in the fall budget update and in the coming months that aim to ramp up homebuilding across the country. Some of those expected measures include tying federal infrastructure spending to housing outcomes in local communities.

Approximately 60% of Canadians express support for enhancing urban density, as indicated by polling data released recently from Pollara Strategic Insights. However, when questioned about their reaction to a single-family home on their block being converted into a triplex, only around 20% considered it a "positive development". NIMBYism in a nutshell!

Last Chance: CHBA is conducting their annual Home Buyer Preference Survey, in partnership with Avid Ratings Canada. By participating in this survey, you'll learn crucial insights into your customers, allowing you to capitalize on areas that matter most to them. This CHBA member perk is an opportunity for you to have your homebuyers surveyed by an independent and reputable third party, giving you answers from your most accurate information source. As the survey link is now closed, please email communications@chba.ca if you would like to participate.

EVERYTHING ELSE

For Your Information

On November 8, CHBA is hosting a webinar on Understanding the Challenges of Electrifying Heating Loads: A Case Study for Builders. The webinar will explore the results of an electrification costing study for the city of Kelowna conducted by FortisBC.

From the Daily Hive - Canada to stabilize immigration levels at 500,000 annually in 2026.

HAVAN, through its Government Relations department, works with Metro Vancouver local governments on important public policy issues, including pending and existing regulations which impact the home building industry. Non-partisan policy analysis and strategic consultation is provided in a collaborative approach in order to efficiently deliver to market the required supply of homes to support Metro Vancouver's 21 municipalities. Working with HAVAN members and industry stakeholders, to build and maintain positive relations with municipal, regional and provincial governments, HAVAN is the respected voice of Metro Vancouver's residential construction industry.

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