What are Micro Policy Fixes?

The SCRD has initiated a comprehensive review and update of our Official Community Plans (OCPs) and related bylaws that implement the vision and objectives of the OCPs. The OCP comprehensive review is a multi-year project that will include extensive community, First Nation, and stakeholder engagement. Click here to learn more about the project.

Micro policy fixes - small edits - to OCPs and related bylaws can be implemented to address urgent community needs and meet Provincial requirements now while the larger, multi-year project takes place. All micro policy fixes implemented now will be part of the larger project review in the upcoming years.

What is the Goal?

The community has told the SCRD time and time again that current development policies are not benefiting the community and strain is being placed on the local environment and services. We have heard loud and clear that action needs to be taken now to address these issues. We agree – action cannot wait!

Micro policy fixes are our response to your feedback and enable us to address high return-low risk policies. Micro policy fixes will be proposed for SCRD Board approval over the upcoming year to address themes such as alignment with Provincial regulations, reconciliation, climate change, housing needs, and potential emergencies.

All proposed micro policy fixes will be posted on this Let's Talk webpage to keep the community updated and provide an opportunity for questions and feedback. Community members are encouraged to join the project email list to receive updates.

Proposed Micro Policy Fix 1

Quick Overview

Summary

Amendments to Zoning Bylaw 337 and 722 are proposed to strengthen protection of watercourses and ocean shorelines within the SCRD. The proposed amendments aim to immediately implement the OCP objective to protect sensitive ecological areas and the Board Strategic Plan’s goal to enhance the region’s resiliency to the effects of climate change.

Specific proposed changes include:

1. Change how proposed new lot area is calculated when subdividing land

Watercourses and Stream Protection and Enhancement Areas (SPEAs) are undevelopable areas where no land alteration (building, tree cutting, hardscaping, etc.) is permitted. A significant portion of subdivision proposals submitted to the SCRD include watercourse and/or SPEAs, which limit the development potential of the resulting subdivided lots and increase the likelihood of impacting the long-term integrity and health of this sensitive ecological area.

The proposal is to ensure all proposed new lots meet the minimum lot size when the area of land containing a watercourse and/or a Stream Protection and Enhancement Area (SPEA) are subtracted. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure all new lots are developable and private property/public assets are protected from flooding and ravine erosion, while protecting healthy watercourses and streamside vegetation.

2. Establish a buffer from Stream Protection and Enhancement Area (SPEA)

A Streamside Protection and Enhancement Area (SPEA) is an area adjacent to a stream that includes both existing and potential streamside vegetation. Streamside vegetation is critical for healthy streams and provides the following benefits:

• provides food and nutrients for fish
• provides fish with hiding places away from predators
• moderates the water temperature during the hot summer months
• stabilizes stream banks and prevents excessive erosion
• protects water quality by filtering runoff
• protects property from floods and slope failure as the soils soak up excess water and release it slowly; and
• provides habitat for wildlife.

The proposal is to establish a buffer to protect the existing and future tree roots and branches within the SPEA that extend into the developable portion of a property. Staff are proposing all buildings, structures, and hardscaping to be situated a minimum of 5 m away from the SPEA boundary to ensure that there is adequate space for protecting natural assets and ensuring that land alteration activity does not intrude on the SPEA. Landscaping, such as a garden, would not be subject to this buffer.

In recent years there has been an increase in unauthorized building and land alteration in SPEAs which results in Compliance Officer inventions by the SCRD and the Province. Remediation of the SPEA is often required, which is an expensive and time-consuming process for property owners and staff. By creating a SPEA buffer, we aim to help property owners avoid bylaw compliance issues and remedial development permit processes, while protecting the natural features, functions, and conditions in the SPEA.

3. Increase the setbacks from waterbodies and watercourses in Bylaw 337 to align with Bylaw 722 and meet Provincial Best Practices

Zoning Bylaw 337 was implemented in 1990 and no longer meets Provincial Best Practices for watercourse and ocean shoreline setbacks.

The proposal is to amend the setbacks in Bylaw 337 to align with Provincial Best Practices and Bylaw 722. The proposed amendment would strengthen property protection from flooding and facilitate environmental protection, public enjoyment of natural coastline, and reconciliation. Further, the amendment would promote clear and consistent setback regulations from waterbodies and watercourses across SCRD Electoral Areas, making development review and approvals more efficient.

Staff Reports on Micro Policy Fix 1 are available for review: First Reading (click here) and Second Reading (click here).

Feedback

The SCRD welcomes feedback and questions on Micro Policy Fix 1. A survey is being prepared and will be published in May 2024.

On the right side of the page, you will find more information on the project and useful links.

Click subscribe at the top of the webpage to receive updates on the micro policy fix element of the OCP Comprehensive Review project. Thank you for participating!