The City of Courtenay is giving residents a chance to have their say to make it easier to build new homes faster.
A survey is being released to gather feedback on proposed changes to form character guidelines for small-scale residential developments.
Form and character Development Permit Areas (DPAs) guide land use and development to address building design, siting, landscaping and protection of the natural environment and sustainability community objectives.
The proposed changes for DPA2 would no longer apply to developments with fewer than three units and offer more flexibility in building designs.
DPA1 for commercial, industrial, mixed-use and multi-residential properties would no longer include three- and four-unit developments.
Last year, the city updated its zoning bylaw for multi-unit housing to align with provincial small-scale housing requirements, which applies to over 5,600 properties in Courtenay.
The change makes it easier to build up to four housing units on residential lots, depending on size, location and servicing.
The survey is available here until March 3, with a drop-in-open house on Thursday, February 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Filberg Centre’s Rotary Hall.
City Council will consider the engagement summary and the proposed amended bylaws in April, with a public hearing to follow.
