Action Plan and Approved Initiatives
Initiative 1: Accessory Dwelling Units | Status: Completed
The goal of this initiative is to update the residential building policies to support the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). These types of units may include secondary suites, garage suites, or in-law suites located on the same property as a primary residence. Additionally, to create clearer guidelines and a more efficient permitting process, while ensuring all development continues to meet building and safety standards.
Through this initiative, the Town aims to:
- Encourage the creation of ADUs within existing residential areas
- Provide clear and consistent guidelines for homeowners and developers interested in building these types of units
- Streamline the permitting process to make it easier to develop secondary housing units
- Increase housing options within the community while supporting responsible residential growth
- Provide information to residents about ADUs and address common questions or concerns
As part of this initiative, the Town launched the Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program. Click here for more information.
Initiative 2: Sale of Town Owned Land: Affordable Housing Focus | Status: Completed
The initiative focuses on creating a new process for the sale of municipally owned land to support the development of affordable housing. The goal is to make it easier for developers who are committed to including affordable housing in their projects to purchase Town-owned land for residential development.
Through this initiative, the Town aims to:
- Create a clear and efficient process for selling Town-owned land for affordable housing development
- Encourage developers to include affordable housing units in new residential projects
- Support the development of a wider range of housing options within the community
- Ensure Town-owned land is used in a way that helps address local housing needs
- Test and refine the process to ensure it works efficiently for both the Town and developer
Initiative 3: Affordable Housing Incentive Program | Status: Completed
This initiative focuses on the development of an Affordable Housing Incentive Program to encourage homeowners, builders, and developers to create more affordable housing options. This program will focus on supporting both new developments and additions to existing properties, such as accessory dwelling units, with the goal of improving housing affordability and accessibility in the community.
Through this initiative, the Town aims to:
- Encourage the development of affordable housing through incentives and supportive policies
- Gather input from residents, developers, and other stakeholders to help shape the program
- Develop clear guidelines and a framework for how the incentive program will operate
- Support a range of housing options, including new builds and additions to existing homes
- Ensure the program is practical, effective, and aligned with community needs
Initiative 4: Implement e-permitting for building and development applications | Status: Completed
This initiatives introduces an electronic permitting (e-permitting) system for development applications. This initiative intends to make the application process faster, more efficient, and easier to navigate for builders, developers, and residents, while supporting continued growth within the community.
Through this initiative, the Town aims to:
- Streamline the permitting process to reduce wait times and improve overall efficiency
- Make it easier for applicants to submit, track, and manage applications online
- Support housing development by reducing barriers in the approval process
- Implement a modern, user-friendly system that integrates with existing processes
- Provide clear information to the public about how the new system works and its benefits
Initiative 5: Small and Tiny Dwelling Neighbourhood: Guidelines and Information | Status: Completed
This initiatives focuses on the development of guidelines and information to support small and tiny dwellings as alternative housing options. The aim is to make it easier to develop and understand these types of homes, while ensuring they meet all necessary safety and land use requirements.
Through this initiative, the Town aims to:
- Support the development of small and tiny homes as additional housing options within the community
- Create clear and consistent guidelines for the design, placement, and use of these dwellings
- Ensure alignment with existing bylaws and building and safety standards
- Explore best practices from other communities to inform local guidelines
- Provide clear and accessible information to residents about small and tiny dwellings, including benefits and common considerations.
