City of Colwood Bylaw and Policy Review

Adapting Colwood’s bylaws to meet new Provincial housing legislation.

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THE CHALLENGE

In late 2023, the Province of British Columbia introduced sweeping changes to the Local Government Act and the Vancouver Charter to help address the housing crisis and begin to deliver more housing options throughout BC. While the amendments promise much-needed tools to assist local governments with addressing the housing crisis, the substantial and time-sensitive mandates place great demand on local governments to respond

with up-front work before the first deadline in June 2024. 

In a city characterized predominantly by low density, single detached housing, the new Provincial legislation has great potential to improve housing options and affordability in the City of Colwood, and to support the City’s ability to provide services and amenities to its growing population. On the other hand, the complex suite of new legislation has potential to greatly impact the built form and character of this cherished community.

THE RESPONSE

MODUS was hired to assist the City of Colwood in identifying applicable new requirements of Bills 44, 46 and 47, and provide a well-defined path to compliance according to the Provincial mandated deadlines. This included developing a bylaw and policy assessment matrix, developing illustrative models for housing scenarios to help guide decision making, drafting mapping updates and bylaw and policy amendments, as well as planning and facilitating an in-person public open house.

Client

City of Colwood