Delta first to adopt new housing-focused Official Community Plan

Photo: City of Delta

DELTA City Council on July 8 adopted a new Official Community Plan (OCP) for the city, making it the first municipality in the region to complete a review and update of its OCP since the Province introduced legislation last fall requiring municipalities to do so.

The OCP update was necessary to help the City meet the housing needs identified by the Province of BC in the Housing Supply Act and achieve the Housing Target Order of 3,607 net new units in the next five years.

The City said that its updated OCP incorporates three major changes: (1) identifying strategic growth in specific areas, including increasing density in urban corridors, (2) simplifying land use descriptions to streamline the development process, and (3) providing a framework to enable Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH). These changes will support the development of much-needed diverse housing options across the city.

“I want to thank staff for their hard work in creating a new OCP that will help meet the needs of our growing community, while also providing guidance to ensure development happens responsibly and sustainably,” said Delta Mayor George V. Harvie on Tuesday. “This housing-focused plan will assist us in achieving our anticipated 20-year housing need and Housing Target Order to enhance our community’s future vibrancy and livability. By identifying urban centres in our OCP, we are creating viable opportunities for sustainable residential development along major corridors.” 

Following the OCP engagement process, a public hearing was held on April 22, after which Council gave third reading to the new OCP bylaw and referred it to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) and Metro Vancouver for statutory review. Since then, the ALC confirmed compliance of Delta’s new OCP and Metro Vancouver has provided its approval of the Regional Context Statement. With the updated Official Community Plan now adopted, staff will monitor its impact on development activity in Delta and identify enhancements for Council’s consideration.

Delta Council also recently adopted amendments to the City’s Zoning Bylaw to support the provincial requirement which encourages Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing. Delta’s SSMUH regulations allow a combination of single detached dwellings, duplex dwellings, secondary suites, coach houses, and garden suites. The bylaw also reduces parking requirements, removes regulatory barriers for construction, and introduces additional density options to provide homeowners options to build necessary housing on their properties.

The staff report with the bylaws is available at: https://delta.civicweb.net/document/230311/. 

To learn more about Delta’s OCP Update, visit delta.ca/HousingOurFuture.

 

Background

In October 2023, the Province issued a Ministerial Order to the City of Delta, requiring it to meet a five-year target of 3,607 net new housing units. 

In November 2023, the Province introduced several other pieces of legislation aimed at increasing housing supply, which apply to municipalities across BC:

  • Bill 44, the Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, requires municipalities to allow increased density in areas currently zoned for single detached and duplex homes.
  • The Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act also requires municipalities to identify areas for residential development to meet anticipated housing needs for the next 20 years. 
  • Bill 47, the Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act requires Delta to designate minimum densities within a Transit Oriented Development Area extending 400 metres from Scottsdale Exchange in Surrey.