Development Approvals Process Review

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Consultation has concluded

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, in past Committee meetings and staff report the DAPR project was sometimes referred to as the 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 reviewed 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 provided an action plan to guide staff on how to implement best practices and test innovative approaches to improve development approvals processes while meeting SCRD planning and policy objectives. The project culminated 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 DAPR Final Report is now complete. The report and recommendations will be presented to the SCRD Committee of the Whole on July 27, 2023 at 9:30 AM. Click here to view the Committee Agenda and click here to watch the Committee meeting live on YouTube.

Click here to review the DAPR Final Report.

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, in past Committee meetings and staff report the DAPR project was sometimes referred to as the 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 reviewed 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 provided an action plan to guide staff on how to implement best practices and test innovative approaches to improve development approvals processes while meeting SCRD planning and policy objectives. The project culminated 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 DAPR Final Report is now complete. The report and recommendations will be presented to the SCRD Committee of the Whole on July 27, 2023 at 9:30 AM. Click here to view the Committee Agenda and click here to watch the Committee meeting live on YouTube.

Click here to review the DAPR Final Report.

Consultation has concluded

  • Bulletin #1 - March 2024

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    SCRD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT BULLETIN #1 – MARCH 2024

    SCRD’s Planning and Development Department is working to improve the quality of service delivered to customers and to the community. A number of changes have recently been made or are being planned, as described in this bulletin. You can learn more about the Development Approvals Process Review project at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/dapr. Future bulletins will be offered at key milestones.

    Increased Front Counter Service Hours: To enhance customer service experiences with development approvals Planning & Development Front Counter Service will increase from two-days per week to three-days per week. Starting May 1, days/hours will be as follows:

    Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
    Drop-in counter closed, appointments only

    Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

    		 NEW drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    		 Drop-in counter closed, appointments only
    		 Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

    A further increase to drop-in counter hours to 5 days per week is being planned for later in 2024.

    Staff continue to balance drop-in/casual counter service with scheduled client meetings offered in-person or virtually on an appointment basis.

    Development Planning and Community Planning Branches: Following confirmation by recommendations in KPMG’s Final Report on SCRD’s Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR) the Planning Division will be restructured into two branches to provide more focused service.

    Community Planning Branch

    Development Planning Branch

    Core Services: Oversees policy development (OCPs, zoning, etc.) and regional planning work

    Core Services: Development applications, front counter service, bylaw compliance matters, DAPR implementation

    Contact: Jonathan Jackson, Manager

    Contact: Kevin Jones, Assistant Manager


    Process Improvements Completed:

    • New Formalized Pre-Applications to assist customers with making better applications that can be expedited more quickly
    • New Remediation Application process that helps unauthorized works in Development Permit Areas (DPAs) transition from Bylaw enforcement to issuance of a Development Permit that authorizes work aligned with DPA objectives.
    • New Clear and documented Requirements Letters that provide guidance on development applications.
    • New Building Permits Zoning and Land Use Compliance Declaration to be used at time of Building Permit Submission

    Upcoming Improvements:

    • Advisory Planning Commission (APC) orientation and riparian regulation workshop; which will initiate a process of reinvesting in APCs
    • Website info page providing information related to current applications (see Whistler’s website for inspiration; SCRD will apply a phased approach)
    • Providing information to the SCRD Board of Directors on recommended improvements to the processing of subdivision applications
    • Recruitment of a new Planning Technician 3 joining the Development Planning Branch to support customer service enhancement
    • Initiating work related to streamlining SCRD’s development file management system, increasing efficiency and transparency
    • Enquiry escalation procedure

    Other Important Planning Projects:

    • Official Community Plan renewal: community engagement will be starting in mid-2024. To find out more and get involved, please visit the project LetsTalk page: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-review
    • Updated Housing Needs Report to comply with new provincial legislation
    • Reviewing zoning compliance with new provincial housing legislation

    SCRD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT BULLETIN #1 – MARCH 2024

    SCRD’s Planning and Development Department is working to improve the quality of service delivered to customers and to the community. A number of changes have recently been made or are being planned, as described in this bulletin. You can learn more about the Development Approvals Process Review project at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/dapr. Future bulletins will be offered at key milestones.

    Increased Front Counter Service Hours: To enhance customer service experiences with development approvals Planning & Development Front Counter Service will increase from two-days per week to three-days per week. Starting May 1, days/hours will be as follows:

    Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
    Drop-in counter closed, appointments only

    Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

    		 NEW drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    		 Drop-in counter closed, appointments only
    		 Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

    A further increase to drop-in counter hours to 5 days per week is being planned for later in 2024.

    Staff continue to balance drop-in/casual counter service with scheduled client meetings offered in-person or virtually on an appointment basis.

    Development Planning and Community Planning Branches: Following confirmation by recommendations in KPMG’s Final Report on SCRD’s Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR) the Planning Division will be restructured into two branches to provide more focused service.

    Community Planning Branch

    Development Planning Branch

    Core Services: Oversees policy development (OCPs, zoning, etc.) and regional planning work

    Core Services: Development applications, front counter service, bylaw compliance matters, DAPR implementation

    Contact: Jonathan Jackson, Manager

    Contact: Kevin Jones, Assistant Manager


    Process Improvements Completed:

    • New Formalized Pre-Applications to assist customers with making better applications that can be expedited more quickly
    • New Remediation Application process that helps unauthorized works in Development Permit Areas (DPAs) transition from Bylaw enforcement to issuance of a Development Permit that authorizes work aligned with DPA objectives.
    • New Clear and documented Requirements Letters that provide guidance on development applications.
    • New Building Permits Zoning and Land Use Compliance Declaration to be used at time of Building Permit Submission

    Upcoming Improvements:

    • Advisory Planning Commission (APC) orientation and riparian regulation workshop; which will initiate a process of reinvesting in APCs
    • Website info page providing information related to current applications (see Whistler’s website for inspiration; SCRD will apply a phased approach)
    • Providing information to the SCRD Board of Directors on recommended improvements to the processing of subdivision applications
    • Recruitment of a new Planning Technician 3 joining the Development Planning Branch to support customer service enhancement
    • Initiating work related to streamlining SCRD’s development file management system, increasing efficiency and transparency
    • Enquiry escalation procedure

    Other Important Planning Projects:

    • Official Community Plan renewal: community engagement will be starting in mid-2024. To find out more and get involved, please visit the project LetsTalk page: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-review
    • Updated Housing Needs Report to comply with new provincial legislation
    • Reviewing zoning compliance with new provincial housing legislation
    Consultation has concluded