Delta homeowners interested in building coach houses, secondary suites or other small-scale multi-unit housing are invited to attend a city event called Housing Our Future PLAN-A-THON.
The City of Delta’s Development Department will be available at the North Delta Recreation Centre on Saturday, Nov. 23, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., to provide residents with a one-stop-shop for in-person support for their development questions.
Those attending can get a myriad of questions answered including from a city planner on what small-scale housing may be possible on someone’s individual property.
Council last week, meantime, gave preliminary approval bylaw amendments to further streamline the process of getting small-scale housing built quicker.
Staff proposed amending the Development Application Procedures Bylaw for small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) projects.
A report to council notes that SSMUH projects on a single lot that require a minor zoning bylaw amendment should have flexibility around Notice of Application Sign requirements.
Signs are currently required for all zoning bylaw amendment applications.
While an important piece of public information to support engagement on large projects, the requirements are not necessary for every SSMUH rezoning application, the report notes.
Until council can consider further amendments to the zoning to allow other SSMUH forms without the need for rezoning, staff propose creating the ability to waive the Notice of Application requirements for SSMUH projects on a single lot.
Most SSMUH forms are currently allowed in the zoning bylaw and, as such, proceed straight to the building permit application, which has no associated sign requirements, the report adds.
Should staff determine that a zoning bylaw amendment proposed is not minor, a Notice of Application Sign would still be required under the bylaw.
Earlier this year, council adopted changes to permit SSMUH on all single-detached and duplex lots in the city, as required by the province.
The changes allow developers and homeowners to submit building permit applications for single -detached homes, duplexes, secondary suites, garden suites and coach houses without the need for rezoning or council approval.
However, council requested that staff monitor applications and report back with options for further amendments to support other forms, such as houseplexes, in early 2025.
