Municipal News- Delta
August 9, 2023
UPDATE: Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy – Approved
On July 24, Council approved a new Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy.
City staff have made a few changes to the draft versions of the Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy previously shared at the Committee of the Whole in May:
Financial Compensation Formula: 3 months’ rent + $15/month of tenancy.
Applicability: Both policies apply to all applications for rezoning of lands containing Purpose-Built Rental Developments. They are not applicable to secondary rental units and rental units that are not within a Purpose-Built Rental Development.
Effective Date:Both policies are effective July 24, 2023 and all applicable rezoning applications submitted after this date must adhere to these policies. Applicants that have submitted their applications prior to this date but have yet to receive third reading are encouraged to use this policy as a guide.
UDI has worked with City staff on both policies through several engagement sessions via the Delta Liaison Committee.
For more information, see the full report.
May 16, 2023
Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy – Memo
On May 2 at the Committee of the Whole, Council received a memo and presentation on the proposed Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy. The memo introduces the draft Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy for Council discussion and input. Much of the content has already been shared through City presentations at the last Delta Liaison Committee meeting, and both policies reflect feedback we have provided to City staff.
Full drafts of both policies are expected to be distributed to the Delta Liaison Committee for a final round of feedback prior to it going to Council for consideration.
For more information, see the memo.
March 21, 2023
Building Permit and Land Development Statistics (2018-2022) Report
On March 6, a report went to Council providing an annual update on development application activity for 2022, including statistical information on land development, building permit applications, and customer service delivery. Some highlights include:
- In 2022, the Building Division issued 2,077 building and plumbing permits which was the highest of the last five years;
- The construction value of issued permits was approximately $341 M;
- Delta’s Building and Plumbing Inspectors completed 13,111 inspections (an increase of 5 percent from 2021 ); and
- The number of land development applications increased by 23 percent between 2021 and 2022. A significant proportion of applications are of a more complex nature such as multi-unit, mixed-use, and industrial proposals.
In support of growing development interest in Delta, the City recently restructured its Community Planning and Development Department to create a separate Development Department focused on processing building and development applications. For more information, see the full report.
February 21, 2023
Removal of UPH Density Measure on Multi-Family and Mixed Use Designations Where FSR Density Maximums Exist
On February 13, changes to the OCP received First and Second Readings and will be advanced to Public Hearing. The changes are summarized below:
- Remove the units per hectare (UPH) density measure from Delta’s multi-unit and mixed-use land use designations where floor space ratio (FSR) density maximums already exist
- Update the East Ladner and Ladner Area Plans to remove the minimum lot size requirements for infill single detached subdivisions
- Remove the policies requiring design covenants to be registered for all infill single detached residential subdivisions in Ladner
Should these proposed changes go through public hearing and are adopted by Council, the changes would take effect immediately. In-stream applications would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine how they may be affected.
For more information, read the full report.
February 7, 2023
Progress on Development Approvals Review Process
On January 23, a report went to Council on the progress of several projects to review and streamline the development approvals process using the $500,000 Development Approval Process Review Grant from the province.
A summary of the work conducted to date can be found in the report. Additionally, work that will be underway, or completed, in 2023 include:
- Launching of new online applications for sign permits, board of variance, pre-application meetings, heritage conservation grants, and residential demolition permits;
- Working towards building more complex eApply processes (i.e. rezoning, subdivision, non-residential building permits) with the ultimate goal of having 100% of applications submitted online;
- Further work on building digital tracking and triaging measures (proof of concept has been completed); and
- Drafting proposed bylaw amendments to bring forward in early 2023 to further streamline development application processes (e.g. single detached subdivisions, liquor licenses, riparian area and foreshore development permits) by including further opportunities for delegation of authority, reduction in requirements, and other measures.
For more information, read the full report.
January 24, 2023
UPDATE: Delegation of Authority Bylaw – Adopted
On January 9, Council gave Third Reading and adopted the Delegation of Authority Bylaw. As noted in previous UDI newsletters, this bylaw would allow some authorities to be delegated to senior staff to improve efficiencies. The full list with the delegation of authority for specific responsibilities is available here.
In addition to these changes, other delegations of authority to increase efficiencies, specifically related to development applications and waiving of municipal fees and charges, are being investigated and will be brought to Council in the coming months.
For more information, read the full bylaw and/or report.
January 10, 2023
2023 Utility User Rates
On December 12, Council adopted the 2023 Utility User Rates for Water, Sewer, and Garbage Collection and Regulation. The newly adopted rates are linked below:
For more information, read the full report.
UPDATE: Proposed Amendments to Parking Requirements Adopted
On December 12, Council held a Public Hearing for the proposed amendments to parking requirements for new apartment developments. Following the Public Hearing, the proposed amendments received Third Reading and were adopted by Council.
See below for additional details on the changes to parking requirements:
Process Improvements to Streamline Approvals
Delegation of Authority Bylaw
On December 12, the Delegation of Authority Bylaw received First, Second, and Third Readings. The Delegation of Authority Bylaw aligns with section 154 of the Community Charter and allows some authorities to be delegated to senior staff to improve efficiency of service delivery.
The Delegation of Authority Bylaw proposes several responsibilities that would be delegated to staff. Some relevant responsibilities include:
- Director of Community Planning and Development
- Negotiate all agreements related to development applications that have received Council approval (e.g. covenants, rights of way, security requirements)
- Negotiate, approve, and execute all agreements that have been delegated (see above)
- Negotiate, approve, and execute releases of obsolete covenants and rights of way in connection with a development application
- Negotiate, approve, and execute minor / technical modifications to covenants and rights of way
- Approving Officer
- Negotiate, approve, and execute agreements and other documents related to subdivision approvals
- Exercise the powers and duties under section 242 of the Strata Property Act with respect to occupied industrial buildings and residential duplexes
- Exempt a parcel created by subdivision from the min. highway frontage
To maintain accountability and transparency, staff will report regularly to Council on delegated decisions. Additionally, other delegations of authority to increase efficiency, specifically related to development applications and waiving of municipal fees and charges, are being investigated and will be brought to Council in the coming months.
For more information, read the full report.
ADOPTED: Waiving of Public Hearing Requirement for Rezoning Applications Compliant with OCP
On December 12, Council adopted the Development Application Procedures Bylaw and Council Procedure Bylaw amendments. As noted in previous UDI newsletters, these amendments align with recent updates to the Local Government Act (LGA) which allows the waiving of public hearing requirements for rezoning applications that are consistent with the Official Community Plan (OCP). Click here to see the previous update where I provided a summary of the bylaw amendment.
For more information, read the full report.
December 13, 2022
Proposed Amendments to Parking Requirements
On November 28, proposed amendments to Parking Requirements for New Apartment Developments received First and Second Reading as well as being referred to a Public Hearing. The proposed amendments would introduce new parking requirements for purpose-built rental apartment developments, update existing visitor parking requirements for all apartment developments, and increase the permitted parking reductions available for developments along the Scott Road Corridor.
Proposed amendments are summarized below:
The City will continue to permit multi-unit residential and mixed-use developments to further reduce parking requirements in exchange for providing car sharing programs.
For more information, read the full report.
Waiving of Public Hearing Requirement for Rezoning Applications Compliant with OCP
On November 28, amendments to the Development Application Procedures Bylaw and Council Procedure Bylaw received First, Second, and Third Readings. The proposed amendments are in line with recent changes to the Local Government Act (LGA) (i.e. Bill 26) that remove the previous default requirement to hold Public Hearings for zoning bylaws that are consistent with the Official Community Plan (OCP).
The amendments would allow applications consistent with the OCP to move forward without a Public Hearing. Instead, there would be delegation to the Director of Community Planning and Development to give advance notice to the public of the date in which Council will be considering the bylaw. Once the advance notice is provided, staff can advance the bylaws to Council for First, Second, and Third Readings at the same time (Council will retain the option to refer to Public Hearing if they wish). See below a summary of the current and proposed bylaw adoption process for rezonings that are consistent with the OCP:
These changes are expected to be implemented starting in January 2023.
For more information, read the full report.
June 14, 2022
EV and Bicycle Charging Requirements
At Council on May 30th, amendments to electric vehicle (EV) and bicycle charging requirements were adopted. Changes include:
- For an apartment building or mixed-use residential building, 100% of residential parking spaces shall be provided with an electric vehicle charger or a dedicated energized electric vehicle outlet;
- Where an electric vehicle energy management system is provided within a common parking structure or area, each parking space connected to the electrical vehicle management system shall be on a common branch circuit shared with adjacent parking spaces to enable load sharing;
- Visitor parking spaces are exempt.
- For commercial and industrial zones and commercial uses in a mixed-use residential building:
- 20% of the total number of parking spaces constructed for commercial uses shall be provided with an electric vehicle charger or a dedicated energized electric vehicle outlet;
- 5% of the total number of parking spaces constructed for industrial uses shall be provided with an electric vehicle charger or a dedicated energized electric vehicle outlet;
- Parking spaces for electric vehicles and equipped with an electric vehicle charger shall be identified using signage and paint markings on the pavement as intended for use for electric vehicle charging only;
- Where an electric vehicle energy management system is provided, each parking space connected to the electrical vehicle management system shall be on a common branch circuit shared with adjacent parking spaces to enable load sharing.
Additionally, resident bicycle storage areas shall include a minimum of one electrical outlet for every four required bicycle spaces to facilitate charging of electric bicycles. Applications in-stream for Building Permits are not required to meet the new regulations.
The full report can be read here.
May 3, 2022
Electric Vehicle and Bicycle Charging Requirements
On April 25th, Council gave First and Second Reading, in addition to waiving the Public Hearing, for amendments to Electric Vehicle (EV) and Bicycle Charging Requirements. The following table provides a summary of the City’s current and proposed EV charging regulations:
For more details, please read the full report here.
November 16, 2021
Housing Action Plan
At Delta’s Regular Council Meeting of November 8, a report on the City’s Housing Action Plan was approved. The purpose of the report is to summarize Phase 2 of the plan and to prepare the Housing Action Plan for Delta. Staff detail eight strategies to address the needs identified through the Housing Needs Assessment. The strategies include:
- Promote Priority Housing Types through an incentive package.
- Identify City and community-owned lands to accommodate priority housing
- Introduce tenant relocation and rental stock protection policies
- Pilot pre-zoning in select areas near town centres
- Create opportunities for gentle density
- Increase the number of accessible units in Delta
- Strengthen partnerships and advocacy
- Pilot inclusionary zoning
Staff have also identified a number of short-term actions that will be prioritized in the coming months. Included in these high priority actions are:
The Housing Action Plan will guide the City’s actions towards housing over the next five years, and will be reviewed by staff and reported to Council every two years to ensure that implementation is progressing.
August 10, 2021
Permitted Projections in Multi-Use Residential
Further to previous updates, on July 27, Delta Council approved the updated Permitted Projections in Multi-Unit Residential Zones.
July 27, 2021
Proposed Permitted Projections in Multi-Unit Residential Zones
At Delta’s Regular Council Meeting of July 12 the city’s bylaw regarding Proposed Permitted Projections in Multi-Unit Residential Zones received first and second reading.
The report proposes a range of new allowances for permitted building projections within multi-unit residential zones (see p.2 of the report for more information on the proposed changes). It also clarifies design requirements and regulations for multi-unit residential applicants.
March 23, 2021
Housing Action Plan Public Feedback Summary and Next Steps
At the City of Delta Regular Council Meeting of March 9 a report on ‘Delta’s Housing Action Plan Public Feedback Summary and Next Steps’ was endorsed by Council. Included in the report are seven strategies with specific actions that will serve as the Basis of the Action Plan. The seven strategies (see below) range in scale, level of complexity, level of impact, and timeframe for implementation.
- Promote priority housing types through a sliding scale incentive package
- Explore ways to increase land availability for priority housing
- Introduce tenant relocation and rental stock protection policies
- Create opportunities for gentle density
- Increase the number of accessible units in Delta
- Pilot inclusionary zoning
- Strengthen the City’s partnerships and advocacy role
Also Included in the report are recommended actions for each strategy (for more information on the recommended actions please see the staff presentation and report).
Once the Draft Housing Action Plan is complete in the spring, staff will then engage the public for their feedback and finalize the strategies. The Housing Action Plan is anticipated to be finalized in the summer.
January 26, 2021
New Parks, Recreation and Culture Amenity Contributions Policy
The City of Delta adopted a new Parks, Recreation and Culture Amenity Contributions policy. The policy is intended to provide a more predictable framework for amenity contributions for the Development Industry to follow. Under the new policy, the majority of new multi-unit mixed-use and larger complex development in the City would contribute to the cost of community amenities. The funds that will be generated from this policy would be used primarily for Parks, Recreation, and Culture, projects and will be subject to a review after a two-year period.
The policy includes criteria for amenity contribution rates, flat rate ($1,000 per Unit) for multi-unit and or mixed-use developments and a negotiated rate approach (target of 25% of land life arising from rezoning) for unique large and complex projects. For amenity contributions that fall within the negotiated approach, a staff report with a recommendation contribution rate will be brought to Council at the early stages of the application.
See the Parks, Recreation and Culture Amenity Contribution Council Report here.
UDI also received a letter from the City of Delta regarding Delta’s New Parks, Recreation, and Culture Amenity Contributions (PRCAC) Policy on Jan 14.
Please contact Richard Demkiw by email at rdemkiw@udi.org with any questions or comments about the new policy.
December 15, 2020
Proposed Accessible Parking Regulations
At Delta’s Regular Council meeting on December 7 a report regarding proposed changes to the city’s Accessible Parking Regulations received first and second reading. The proposed bylaw amendment would increase the accessibility of parking in the City by adding requirements for van accessible parking where accessible parking is required, as well as adding a requirement for residential visitor parking to include accessible parking.
In section D (P.15) of the report there are examples of how the proposed changes would affect hypothetical residential and commercial developments in Delta, including the increase in total required width of the parking area for such a development. While the analysis shows the total width allocated for parking would only increase marginally, it also shows that the additional width may pose some challenges for denser developments with underground parking.
December 1, 2020
Advisory Design Panel
An opportunity exists for a UDI member to serve as a non-voting representative on the Advisory Design Panel (ADP) in Delta. This advisory panel will help provide advice to Council on matters related to the design and construction of buildings and site design within the Municipality, with the objective of promoting high quality building design. (See the proposed ADP Terms of Reference)
Staff encourage applications from people who have valuable knowledge and experience in areas such as planning, engineering, real estate, construction, design or the development industry.
If you are interested in being appointed to the above advisory committee for a one-year term commencing January 2021, please submit a brief resume and covering letter indicating your interest, why you would like to serve, and any relevant knowledge and experience you may have. The Committee will meet up to twelve times per year.
Applications should be sent to the Office of the City Clerk by January 8, 2021
November 17, 2020
Housing Strategy Workshop
The City of Delta has been working this year on the Housing Action Plan to address the needs identified through last year’s Housing Needs Assessment. Delta held a stakeholder meeting on November 4, to discuss some possible strategies and actions the City is considering implementing over the next five years (see below). The presentation from the November Stakeholder Housing Action Plan Workshop can be found here.
The strategies include:
- Promote priority housing through ‘sliding scale’ incentives
2. Explore ways to increase land availability for priority housing
3. Create opportunities for gentle density
4. Introduce renter protection policies
5. Increase the number of accessible units in Delta
6. Pilot pre-zoning in select areas near town Centres
7. Introduce inclusionary zoning policies
A virtual engagement page is open until December 7th. The input received will be used to help develop the City’s draft Housing Action Plan. The draft plan is expected to be presented to Delta Council in Spring 2021 for consideration and will be followed by a final round of virtual public consultation.
Should you wish to speak with Delta staff about the Housing Action Plan, please email housingactionplan@delta.ca
November 3, 2020
Scott Road Corridor –Mayors housing task force report
At the City of Delta’s Regular Council meeting on October 26 the ‘Mayor’s Housing Task Force for Scott Road Recommendations Report‘ was discussed. Council received the report for informational purposes and referred the report back to staff. Staff is expected to come back with an implementation strategy for the report. Council also passed a motion that suggests current and new development applications for the Scott Road corridor be allowed to advance. Such applications will be reviewed for consistency with and in light of the recommendations of the Task Force.
September 22, 2020
Mass Timber Early Adopter Initiative
At the City of Delta Regular Council Meeting on September 14th (item F.20) a motion was carried to sign-on to the Provincial Office of Housing and Construction Standards as a Mass Timber Early Adopter Initiative. Any project constructed under this initiative in Delta is subject to the following additional request for:
See the report here.
For any additional questions or comments please contact Richard Demkiw.
August 11, 2020
Soon to come* UDI/ HAVAN Delta Liaison Committee
UDI Fraser Valley and HAVAN are establishing a Development Liaison Committee with the City of Delta. If you have projects in Delta and are interested in participating on the Committee please contact Richard Demkiw or by phone at 778.388.1639.
City of Delta Mayor’s Housing Task Force for the Scott Road Corridor
On July 29th Jeff Fisher, Vice President & Senior Policy Advisor at UDI participated in a panel discussion at the Delta Mayor’s Housing Task Force for the Scott Road Corridor.
The discussion was facilitated by Modus Consulting and the Task Force membership includes Mayor Harvie, three of our Councillors, and several community members.The session served to inform the Task Force on development industry considerations related to the redevelopment of the Scott Road Corridor.
More information about the Task Force, including the agenda, minutes, and mandate is available here.
July 28, 2020
Online Engagement Platform
The City of Delta has launched its online engagement platform called ‘Let’s Talk Delta.’ The online tool will help residents stay up to date on projects that the city is working on, and offer opportunities to provide their feedback on community initiatives.
July 14, 2020
Electric Vehicle Strategy
At Delta’s Regular Council meeting of July 6, a report on the Electric Vehicle Strategy’ went to Council.
Delta’s Zoning Bylaw currently requires 20% of the parking stalls in new multi-unit residential or mixed-use buildings with more than six dwelling units to be provided with a level 2 charging station or roughed-in conduit or cable with electrical panel and physical space for associated equipment for a level 2 charging station.
The Strategy includes recommendations to bring forward the following revisions to the zoning Bylaw for consideration by Council and the Public:
Council passed the vote to support the recommendations as amended. A more detailed financial analysis will be provided to Council with the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments.
Council Dylan Kruger also passed a motion to refer the report to the Mayor’s Task Force for their comment.
See here for the full report.
June 30, 2020
Options for Permitted Projections in Multi-Unit Residential Zones
A report on ‘Options for Permitted Projections in Multi-Unit Residential Zones’ (Item F.06) was presented at the Delta’s regular Council meeting of June 15. The report’s purpose was to present options and recommendations for adding different permitted projections in multi-unit residential zones in “Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017.
Staff presented four options to Council. There was some debate from Council between options one and two (see below), this resulted in a motion from Council to workshop the item. Further discussion on the proposed bylaw amendment will be made sometime over the next few weeks. See here for the full report.
Public Engagement Changes for Public Information Meetings
At the June 15th Regular Meeting of Delta Council approved a recommendation (F.07) by staff that public engagement for major development projects will resume by the means of an online engagement platform called Bang the Table starting in July 2020. This tool would be utilized in lieu of public information meetings during and post-pandemic. See here for the full report.
April 21, 2020
Borrowing approved to meet corporate cash flow requirements, if necessary
At a special meeting on Tuesday, April 14, Council unanimously approved a bylaw allowing the city to borrow up to $35 million as a means of covering its operating expenses should the need arise.
The bylaw authorizes the city to temporary borrow the amount to “meet corporate cash flow requirements, if necessary,” pending receipt of 2020 tax revenues. That authorization does not automatically mean Delta is borrowing the funds however; it simply allows the city to apply for short-term financing with the Municipal Finance Authority
The report highlights that there has been discussion with the province and other municipalities about extending the due date for property taxes from July 2nd to September 2nd. This could put a strain on the city’s cash flow. Therefore, the decision for the City to borrow money could provide a safety net if needed moving forward. See here for the link to the full report.
See here for the News release from the City of Delta
March 10, 2020
Housing Needs Report
On February 24th, 2020, Delta Council endorsed the Housing Needs Assessment. The Housing Needs Assessment establishes Delta’s current housing situation, including data analysis, public consultation, stakeholder engagement, and the identification of nine priority needs. See below for the nine priorities identified in the assessment:
The Right Supply
- More affordable rental options;
- Housing options to suit an aging population; and
- Greater supply of supportive and accessible housing units.
The Right Price
- Housing affordability for young people and families;
- More opportunities for non-market/below-market housing;
- Creative options; and
- Reduce transportation costs through transit-oriented development.
The Right Balance
- Density and infill that balances everyone’s needs.
Support Communities in Housing Need
- Support for vulnerable populations at greater housing risk.
These nine priority needs will be explored in phase 2 of the Housing Action Plan, which is to take place throughout 2020. There will be further opportunities for engagement starting in May 2020. The final Housing Action Plan report is anticipated by the end of 2020. See here for more information on the Housing Action Plan.
February 11, 2020
Housing Action Plan Update
Please see the attached Delta Housing Action Plan update. The report includes the Housing Needs Engagement Summary and the draft reports of the Community Housing Profile.
October 15, 2019
UPDATED: Housing Action Plan Workshop
The City of Delta is undertaking a Housing Action Plan in 2019-2020 to address Delta’s housing needs and strategies to respond to these needs in the future.
While community workshops have now closed, the online survey is open until October 18th.
September 30, 2019
Housing Action Plan Workshop
The City of Delta is undertaking a Housing Action Plan in 2019-2020 to address Delta’s housing needs and strategies to respond to these needs in the future.
Please see the opportunities to attend community workshops. You will also have the opportunity to sit down with workshop facilitators to discuss experiences, perspectives, and ideas. There will also be the opportunity to complete the community survey.
There are opportunities to attend two community workshops
Date: Thursday October 3rd
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Location: Harris barn, Ladner 4140 Arthur Drive.
Date: October 8th
Time: 6:00pm -8:00 pm
Location: South Delta Recreation Centre, Hall C 1720 56 Street.
More information can be found at www.delta.ca/housingactionplan.
