Policy & Positions Manual
Policy Priority Area - Reform of Local Government
Development Permit Time Lines (2006 – Revised 2009)
Significant issues with obtaining timely local government approvals on Development Permits (DP’s) continue to hamper development opportunities in many communities across the province. With no oversight from the Provincial Government, local governments have the opportunity to withhold approvals until the applicant agrees to take on costs that may or may not be related to the specific project application.
The process for the application of DP’s varies dramatically between municipalities in BC. These variances cause confusion for the applicant and result in additional costs due to the uncertainty of the process. Currently, there is no incentive for municipalities to address these issues as the Community Charter provides local government with exclusive power over the Development Permit Process.
Delays in application approvals are the result of a number of factors including, but certainly not limited to, staffing levels in the local government, and indecision by staff or politicians. These delays have proven costly to the applicants and may result in projects and development opportunities not being brought forward. The delays are costing jobs, Development Cost Charge fees and ongoing realty taxes. There is no incentive for staff or the politicians to move more quickly since they have all the say on the approvals.
All provinces and territories, save BC and Quebec, have legislated mechanisms and protections which address all of the above concerns. In these uncertain economic times, it is imperative that the Provincial Government take action to ensure that the potential for development opportunities in our communities and the rights of applicants are protected.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the Provincial Government:
- amend the Local Government Act to:
- establish reasonable timelines and focused guidelines for the approval of development permits by local government;
- provide standard requirements for the submission of development permits to local government such as specific drawing requirements, traffic surveys, etc;
- provide standard criteria for local government on which to approve development permit applications; and
- specify all costs which a local government may specifically attribute to a project; and
- ensure that should a local government fail to meet the requirements as specified in the Act, the applicant should have a right of appeal through an independent tribunal.
