Thursday, December 19, 2024 – The District of Sooke is pleased to announce the adoption and implementation of Development Procedures Bylaw No. 900, which is now live and publicly available on the District’s website. This comprehensive update streamlines and consolidates several previous bylaws and policies, including:
- Development Procedures Bylaw No. 490
- DP Delegation Bylaw No. 705
- Development Application Procedures Policy
- Communications Antenna Policy
- ALR Application Procedures Policy
- Liquor Licence Applications Procedure Policy
- The exemptions procedure section of the Flood Plain Regulation Bylaw No. 773
The new bylaw introduces key changes to improve clarity and efficiency for applicants and the public while supporting the District’s commitment to transparent and effective development processes.
Key Changes in Development Procedures Bylaw No. 900:
1. Delegated Minor Development Variance Permits (DVPs):
- Minor DVPs are now eligible for delegation to staff.
2. Public Information Meetings (PIMs):
- Required for all residential rezoning applications to provide opportunity for early public engagement.
- Facilitated by the applicant, with a summary report submitted at the conclusion.
- A guide for applicants is in development, with a draft version currently available.
3. Mailout Notices:
- Expanded to a 100-metre radius for both Development Variance Permits (DVPs) and Rezoning applications.
- Previously, DVP notices were mailed only to immediately adjacent properties.
What This Means for the Building and Development Community
Applicants are encouraged to review the updated bylaw and familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure alignment with the new processes. By understanding these updates, the development community can help ensure a smooth application experience while meeting the District’s requirements.
“The Development Procedures Bylaw No. 900 reflects our efforts to create a clearer, more streamlined approach for applicants while maintaining transparency and opportunities for public input,” says Jayden Riley, Manager of Community Planning. “We’ve consolidated development procedure information from multiple bylaws and policies and formalized existing tools, such as Public Information Meetings, to ensure we’re meeting the needs of both the development community and the public.”
For more information, please review Development Procedures Bylaw No. 900 on the Bylaw page District of Sooke’s website: