Following the October 15, 2022 municipal election, here is how we are advising clients right now.
City of Vancouver
There have never been more development applications. Sites are more complex than ever. The City’s zoning team is currently understaffed.
The first development applications to be approved are those of the highest quality.
Time and again, architects, environmental professionals, and engineers focus on their subject area and their submissions do not fully align to the applicable land use regulations. This leads to extra rounds of comments, which adds several months to the development review process.
The truth is that there is a massive difference in the development review process for thoughtful applications vs. ones that are hastily submitted. While the planning team experiences satisfaction in reviewing a quality application, they experience frustration in reviewing a poor quality one.
Guess which application is taken seriously? Guess which application is set aside? Guess whose phone calls are returned?
Involving a planning consultant in the preparation of the application is an important step to help you meet proforma assumptions on timelines and costs.
District of West Vancouver and District of North Vancouver
Even if you have already received development review input from District staff and the design review panel, you need to know for sure if the Council will consider approval of your project.
Working with a planning consultant to map-out your meetings with elected council members will empower your next steps. Before you invest further in the development review process, we recommend that you understand whether the current Council would approve your project.
Across B.C.
Following the election, clients from across B.C. have asked, “What do we do now?”
An easy first step is to send a short note of congratulations. Look up the platforms of the winners. In your note, we suggest naming your project and commenting on how it aligns with their future vision.
Channel has developed downloadable resources to help you with development review and approvals and a strategy on government relations. Feel free to share those with your team.
If you need help, we’re here. We work with private developers, government, and non-profit organizations.
We listen, connect, and find the truth to unlock diverse housing.