Development Approvals Process Review
In February 2023, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) launched the Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR) project to critically examine the Regional District's development review and approvals process. The purpose of this page is to provide the community with information on the project and a forum to ask questions.
Please note, the DAPR project is sometimes referred to in Committee meetings and staff reports as Planning Enhancement Project 1 (PEP1).
The Project
The SCRD is one of 43 local governments that received grant funding through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to partake in the provincially-initiated Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR) program. DAPR was initiated by the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in collaboration with various stakeholders, to address challenges and identify opportunities for improvement in the current development approvals process and to support local governments in eliminating barriers to affordable housing and accelerate the construction of the homes they need in their communities.
The grant funding has enabled the SCRD to hire KPMG, an experienced leader in organizational planning and business management, to review our development-related processes and identify opportunities to make application process more efficient and easier to navigate. KPMG is working with several other local governments on their DAPR projects, enabling the SCRD to learn about the successful tactics employed by others who face similar development challenges.
Together, we will review the operational steps and decision-making staff perform in consideration of approving development, from the pre-application phase to the issuance of the building permit. KPMG will support staff to implement best practices and to test innovative approaches to improve development approvals processes while meeting SCRD planning and policy objectives. The project culminates in a Final Report made up of recommendation on how to improve SCRD development approvals processes and includes an action plan on how to implement the recommendations.
Key Objectives
- Achieve alignment with provincial regulations
- Enhance clarity and predictability through the development process
- Improve the customer and staff experience
- Strengthen linkages between the SCRD’s priorities and the role of the development process in implementing them
The Final Report is expected to be presented to the SCRD Board in July 2023. When approved, the report will be published on this webpage for public review.
DAPR Q&A
Do you have a question about the Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR) project? Share your DAPR related questions below.
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