Bulletin #1 - March 2024

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:

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.

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