The District of Clearwater has recently been awarded a grant of $141,752 through the Local Government Development Approvals Program.
Mayor Merlin Blackwell said, “The funding is part of a provincial initiative to fast-track development approvals and will considerably strengthen and benefit our development procedures. We are excited about this announcement, absolutely.”
The provincial Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon said, “We're leaving no stone unturned in our work to deliver more homes for people, faster. The Local Government Development Approvals Program was created so that local governments can improve internal processes and development approvals, speeding up the delivery of homes for people living and working in B.C.”
The program supports local governments in adopting ‘best practices’ while developing innovative solutions to accelerate housing delivery and is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).
Minister of Municipal Affairs, Anne Kang said, "This grant funding will help new homes get built faster and more efficiently throughout the province.”
Project Overview
The District of Clearwater will embark on a comprehensive four-phase project to review and enhance its development approvals process. This project aims to address key challenges and streamline procedures to promote sustainable growth. The four phases are:
1. Project Initiation and Background Review: This phase involves finalizing a work plan and conducting a thorough review of existing bylaws, policies, and procedures.
2. Community Engagement and Outreach: Surveys and interviews with applicants, staff, and stakeholders will gather valuable insights to inform the development of recommendations.
3. Delivery of Recommendations: Based on gathered data, the district will create a comprehensive list of recommendations focused on process improvement, customer service, and policy updates.
4. Implementation, Reporting and Tracking: The final phase will turn recommendations into actionable steps, ensuring effective implementation and continuous improvement.
Expected Outcomes
The project is expected to deliver several positive outcomes, including:
• Reduced application timelines
• Increased applicant satisfaction
• Enhanced internal collaboration
• Greater public understanding of the development process
• Improved clarity on infrastructure servicing requirements
Blackwell added, “As a district we are dedicated to encouraging a development-friendly environment that supports both small and large-scale projects. This grant funding will definitely assist the District of Clearwater in updating our development policies and procedures while supporting the community’s goals and needs as we focus on continued efficient growth together.”
For more information about the Development Approvals Process Review and the steps the province is taking to tackle the housing crisis, visit UBCM and StrongerBC.
