Delta residents will get to have their say on the city’s plan to overhaul its secondary suite policy.
A public hearing will be held on Monday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. on the proposed amendments to the secondary suite policy, a session that will be held online on the city’s website.
The public will also be able to register and participate via telephone or video conference, as well as submit written submissions until the day of the hearing.
Delta, which is currently undertaking a new housing action strategy, has close to 4,000 authorized suites.
Council last fall gave preliminary approval to amendments which would eliminate the requirement for a minimum lot width of 49-feet to accommodate a suite and to allow suites on properties that can fit three on-site parking spaces regardless of parking configuration.
A staff report notes that out of approximately 23,600 single-detached lots in Delta, removing the lot width requirement would allow secondary suites on approximately 1,950 additional lots, provided that three off-street parking spaces could be provided and B.C. Building Code requirements are met.
The report also notes that approximately 220 lots that are less than 49-feet-wide already have a secondary suite.
Council in a previous move eliminated the zoning requirement for owners to enter into a restrictive covenant to prohibit secondary suites in in-ground basements and accessory structures.
Homeowners who had signed covenants will be able to apply to remove them if they meet zoning requirements.
Properties which are subject to a land use contracts are still not permitted to have a secondary suite, unless the land use contract is discharged by council or until provincially terminated on June 30, 2024.
Check the City of Delta’s website at https://www.delta.ca/ for more information.
