The City of Delta has taken significant steps towards responding to the need for housing in the community.
That’s according to a progress report discussed at council on Monday regarding the city’s response to the provincial Housing Target Order for Delta.
The report notes that between Oct. 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, there was notable development and building approval activity with 242 occupancy permits issued.
In addition, strong efforts were made towards approving projects at all stages of development, including third reading granted for 990 units, final reading granted for 67 units, development permits issued for 211 units and building permits issued for 206 units, the report notes.
In late March, the Housing Targets Branch released the Housing Target Progress Report Form that municipalities are required to complete.
Delta staff communicated that the report form has some significant challenges, most notably the requirement to deduct demolition permits against the occupancy permits issued.
Demolition permits represent the start of a development, but it can be years before an occupancy permit is issued for the project.
The report adds it is expected that as the pace of development increases in Delta, so will the number of demolition permits, however, under the Housing Target Order and reporting format, the city can’t count new construction units until they are completed and ready for occupancy.
During council’s discussion, frustration was conveyed about having to use occupancy permits as the measure, with staff noting the issuing of a building permit should be the last checkpoint as occupancy permits rely on developers’ construction timelines.
Council also discussed an updated report on Bill 16 (Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2024), which will allow municipal governments to make various changes including having inclusionary zoning and bonus density for affordable housing.
Council agreed that the planning department needs to establish an appropriate policy framework to determine appropriate amenity contributes for buildings over six storeys, but that council should also have flexibility and not be “locked in” to specific numbers for all developments.
