Development Approval Information Bylaw 2022 No. 7346
Nanaimo, British Columbia
· adopted 2022-07-04
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CITY OF NANAIMO
BYLAW NO. 7346
A BYLAW TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES AND POLICIES FOR REQUIRING
DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL INFORMATION
WHEREAS under Section 485 of the Local Government Act, Council has specified in the Official
Community Plan circumstances and designated areas for which development approval
information may be required.
AND WHEREAS Section 486 of the Local Government Act requires the City to establish, by
bylaw, procedures and policies on the process for requiring development approval information.
NOW THEREFORE the Council of City of Nanaimo enact as follows:
PART I - GENERAL
1.
Title
This Bylaw may be cited as "Development Approval Information Bylaw 2022 No. 7346".
2.
Definitions
In this bylaw:
"Applicant"
means a person who applies for:
a) an amendment to the City's zoning bylaw;
b) a development permit; or
c) a temporary use permit.
"City"
means the City of Nanaimo
"Council"
means the Council of the City of Nanaimo
"Qualified Professional"
means an individual who is certified by a professional
governing body or under the Professional Governance Act,
where applicable, and is in good standing with the
regulatory body for the individual's profession, and when
carrying out an assessment the individual is acting:
a. within the individual's area of expertise;
b. within the scope of professional practice for the
individual's profession; and,
c. under the code of ethics of the applicable regulatory
body.
"Report"
means any study or information containing development
approval information that fulfils or is intended to fulfil the
requirements of this Bylaw and the Terms of Reference, if
provided.
"Terms of Reference"
means a document prepared by the City regarding matters
outlined in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw that defines the scope
of development approval information and the deliverables
required to be provided by the Applicant.
Bylaw No.7346
Page 2
3.
Procedures and Policies
3.1
An official or designate referred to in Section 3.2 may require that an Applicant
provide development approval information in accordance with this Bylaw.
3.2
The authority to require development approval information is delegated by Council
to the following City officials or designates:
a. General Manager, Development Services.
b. Director, Development Approvals.
c. General Manager, Engineering & Public Works.
d. Director, Engineering
e. Director, Community Development.
3.3
Development approval information must be provided by the Applicant at the
Applicant's expense, in the form of a Report certified and signed by a Qualified
Professional.
3.4
A Report provided under Section 3.3 must be prepared by an appropriately
Qualified Professional including, but not limited to, those as outlined in Schedule
"B" of this Bylaw.
3.5
The Report must be prepared in accordance with the professional practice
standards and complete with the signature and seal of any Qualified Professional
involved in its creation.
3.6
A Report provided under Section 3.3 must comply with and fully address the Terms
of Reference that are provided.
3.7
The City may distribute the Report, publicize the results of any Report, and be able
to rely on the findings and conclusions contained in the Report.
4.
Terms of Reference
4.1
The Terms of Reference may require one or more Reports, as identified in
Schedule "A" attached to this Bylaw, related to one or more of the subject areas
identified.
4.2
In general, a Report must contain the following:
a. The legal description and property identifier (PID) for the subject property;
b. A description of all relevant land use covenants, easements, statutory rights-
of-way or other charges that affect the use and development of the property
registered on title for the subject property;
c. A location and context map for the property;
d. A description of the methodology and assumptions used to undertake the
Report or sufficient detail regarding assessment and the methodology to
facilitate a professional third party review if required under Section 5.2;
e. Identification and definition of the context, interaction, scope, magnitude and
significance of the anticipated impacts of the proposed activity or development,
as well as the data and methodological accuracy, assumptions, uncertainties,
acceptability thresholds and how the anticipated impact may cumulatively
contribute to existing risks stressors and threats; and,
Bylaw No.7346
Page 3
f. Recommendations for conditions or requirements that Council or its official or
designate may impose to mitigate anticipated impacts.
5.
Report Review
5.1
If the City determines that a Report is incomplete or deficient, it will notify the
Applicant in writing of the nature of the deficiencies. The Applicant will be required
to submit a new and/or updated Report to address the deficiencies.
5.2
Without limiting Section 5.1, the official or designate may, after receiving and
reviewing a Report under this Bylaw, require a third party review of a Report at the
expense of the Applicant.
6. Reconsideration
6.1
An Applicant may apply to Council for the reconsideration of an official or designate
decision to require development approval information under this Bylaw by
delivering to the City a written application for reconsideration within thirty (30) days
after the decision is communicated in writing to the Applicant.
6.2
An application for reconsideration must set out the grounds upon which the
Applicant considers the decision inappropriate and what, if any, decision the
Applicant considers the Council ought to substitute and must include a copy of
any materials considered by the Applicant to be relevant to the reconsideration
by Council.
6.3
The City must place each application for reconsideration on the agenda of a
regular council meeting as soon as reasonable and practicable after the delivery
of a complete application for reconsideration and must notify the Applicant of
the date of the meeting at which the reconsideration will occur.
6.4
At that meeting, Council may hear from the Applicant and may either confirm
the decision or substitute their own decision.
7. Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, definition or phrase of this Bylaw is for any
reason held to be invalid by the decision of any Court of competent jurisdiction, such decision
will not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Bylaw.
PASSED FIRST READING: 2022-MAY-30
PASSED SECOND READING: 2022-MAY-30
PASSED THIRD READING: 2022-MAY-30
ADOPTED: 2022-JUL-04
L. E. KROG
MAYOR
S. GURRIE
CORPORATE OFFICER
Bylaw No.7346
Page 4
SCHEDULE "A"
The following are potential components that could create the Terms of Reference for the Reports
that may be requested of the Applicant for a proposed development. The scope of the Terms of
Reference will vary depending on the scale and potential impact of the specific development.
A.
Transportation
If the City requires development approval information relating to the impact of
development on transportation, the following may be required:
-
A Traffic Impact Assessment Report in accordance with the criteria outlined within
the City's Development Transportation Impact Assessment Guidelines. The
Report must outline the process, outcomes, and mitigation strategies needed to
support the proposed development. Parking demand will be addressed through
the City of Nanaimo Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw, as amended from time
to time, and Policy for Consideration of a Parking Variance.
B.
Local Infrastructure
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on the local infrastructure, the following information may be
required:
-
Servicing report(s) for stormwater management, sanitary sewer, water supply. The
report(s) should include capacity analysis of the existing system, impacts of the
development on the existing system(s), proposed improvements to the existing
system(s) whether on-site or off-site to accommodate the development, and
include consideration for the development of adjacent or tributary lands.
C.
Stormwater Management / Erosion
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on stormwater, surface runoff and erosion, the following
information may be required:
-
Complete a stormwater management plan and downstream drainage system
analysis as per City of Nanaimo Manual of Engineering Standards & Specifications
(MoESS), as amended from time to time.
-
Complete an erosion & sediment control plan for the property to ensure that local
infrastructure, watercourses, ponds, lakes, wetlands, ocean and adjacent
properties are not impacted by the proposed development.
D.
Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Hazard Lands
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on environmentally sensitive lands, hazard lands or steep
slopes, the following information may be required:
-
Provide an analysis and Report on the natural environment, including ecosystems,
biological diversity, species at risk, regionally significant species, and riparian
ecosystems.
-
Provide a bio-inventory assessment in accordance with the most recent edition of
the Provincial "Develop with Care: Bio-Inventory Terms of Reference".
-
A detailed biophysical assessment of the property, prepared by a Qualified
Registered Professional.
-
Vegetation Management Plan including recommendations for restoration and
maintenance.
Bylaw No.7346
Page 5
-
Demonstrate how the development will protect, retain and restore environmentally
valuable resources.
-
Provide a tree analysis and detailed tree retention strategy for the site and any
potential impacts of tree removal on adjacent properties.
-
Provide an analysis of the proposed development's impact on fish and wildlife
habitat as well as the ground (ie: aquifer) and surface water quality, including
pollution, nutrients, silt and pathogens.
-
Provide an analysis of the geotechnical conditions of the site, as per the following
City Guidelines:
o
Guidelines for Geotechnical Reports;
o
Seismic Design Guidelines for Water, Sewer, Utilities and Roads.
-
Provide mapping of any hazardous lands or natural environmental features to be
added to the City of Nanaimo base mapping.
E.
Above Abandoned Mine Workings Hazards
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on above abandoned mine workings hazards, the following
information may be required:
-
Provide an analysis of the geotechnical conditions of the site, as per the following
City Guidelines:
o
Guidelines for Geotechnical Assessments Above Abandoned Mine
Workings;
o
Seismic Design Guidelines for Water, Sewer, Utilities and Roads.
-
Provide mapping of any hazardous lands or coal mine workings features to be
added to the City of Nanaimo base mapping.
F.
Sea Level Rise
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on lands subject to sea level rise and associated risks to the
development, the following information may be required:
-
Provide an analysis of the geotechnical conditions of the site, including but not
limited to: sea-level rise, 1:200 year flood event and inundation, and demonstrate
that the lands are safe for the intended buildings and uses, in accordance with the
Engineers and Geoscientists BC professional practice guidelines.
-
Complete 1:200 year flood analysis and mapping for the site where the City has
not completed mapping.
G.
Wildfire Hazards
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on the risk of wildfire hazards, the following information may
be required:
-
Complete a wildfire interface assessment of the property.
-
Provide wildfire interface planning recommendations for the proposed
development, including if required, windbreaks, setbacks, landscape plans, forest
management strategy and modified building or subdivision design.
H.
Climate Action
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on climate change, the following information may be required:
Bylaw No.7346
Page 6
-
Demonstrate how the proposed development will contribute to greenhouse gas
reduction targets, energy conservation and water conservation.
-
Provide an analysis of the proposed development on air quality, including pollution,
dust, fumes, smoke and odours.
-
Demonstrate how the development incorporates elements of LEED guidelines for
building materials and resources to be used, indoor environmental quality, use of
natural light, innovation in design, and support for the reduction of personal vehicle
use.
-
Demonstrate that the development supports alternative transportation options.
-
Provide an evaluation of embodied emissions of the proposed development.
I.
Public Facilities and Services
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on public facilities and services (including community services,
parks and schools), the following information may be required:
-
Identify services within a 5-minute walking distance of the proposed development.
-
Identify the impacts on community services from the proposed development,
including demand on: schools, protective services (e.g. police, fire, ambulance),
health care and parks, recreation and cultural facilities and services.
J.
Economic and Social Development
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on the economic and social health of the community, the
following information may be required:
-
Provide an analysis of the economic impacts of the proposed development and
how it may affect the day-to-day quality of life of residents, visitors and the
community as a whole, including direct and indirect economic impacts,
demographics, housing, local services and socio-cultural issues.
-
If the application includes commercial uses, provide an analysis of the impacts of
the development on: competition, traffic impacts, the effects on tenancy, and the
impacts on neighbourhood stability.
-
If the application includes industrial uses, provide an analysis of the impacts of the
development on: supply and use of industrial land in the City.
-
Provide an analysis of how affordable housing will be incorporated into the
development, including: replacement of lost affordable housing (housing
demolished to accommodate the new development), amount of rental housing
proposed, variety of housing types, and the inclusion of new affordable housing.
-
Examine the potential financial impacts of the proposed development on the
existing community public facilities, such as schools, fire halls, police detachments,
recreation and cultural facilities and parks.
-
Outline any potential costs and identify possible strategies to mitigate against the
potential impacts, including an outline of the potential funding sources for the
provision of additional community services and public facilities that may be
required as a consequence of the proposed development.
K.
Archaeology
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on the archaeological site, the following information may be
required:
-
A Report or letter submitted by a Qualified Professional providing clearance from
the Archaeology Branch of the Province.
Bylaw No.7346
Page 7
-
If there is a known archaeological site impacting the subject property, the Applicant
will need to contact the Provincial Government's Archaeology Branch to determine
what permit/report requirements apply and provide this information to the City.
-
If at any time during the construction process archaeological materials are
identified on the site, work must stop, the Archaeology Branch must be contacted,
and a Report submitted to the City.
-
If a study was required, demonstrate how First Nations were involved in the
archaeological study.
L.
Heritage
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on recognized heritage resources, the following information
may be required:
-
Complete a heritage impact assessment and impact mitigation study or heritage
conservation plan that provides an analysis of the proposed development's impact
on heritage resources on the site.
-
Provide an analysis of how a building or site design reflects, conserves or
enhances the heritage of the site.
M.
Form and Character / Built Environment
If the City requires development approval information in the form of a Report relating to
the impact of development on the form and character of the built environment, the following
information may be required:
-
Provide plans, sections, streetscapes, 3D or perspective architectural drawings,
renderings, digital modelling.
-
Demonstrate how the development complies with City bylaws and meets the goals
and objectives of the Official Community Plan and any adopted Neighbourhood
Plans and relevant Design Guidelines.
-
Provide an analysis of landscape and visual impacts, including the impact on view
corridors, the creation of shadows, prominent features, and experiential
characteristics.
-
Provide information on the phasing and timing of the activity or development and
how this may impact the surrounding community.
Bylaw No.7346
Page 8
SCHEDULE "B"
SUBJECT
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
A
Transportation
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with applicable
expertise in traffic and transportation.
B
Local Infrastructure
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with applicable
expertise in civil engineering.
Registered Onsite Wastewater Professional (ROWP)
for septic systems only.
C
Stormwater Management /
Erosion
Professional Engineer (P.Eng., P.Geo.) with
applicable expertise in hydrology, geotechnical,
geology, civil.
Landscape Architect (BCSLA)
Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment
Control (CPESC)
D
Environmentally Sensitive
Lands and Hazard Lands
Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio)
Registered Biology Technologist (RBTech)
Applied Biology Technician (ABTech)
Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP)
Professional Engineer (P.Eng., P.Geo.) with
applicable expertise in hydrology, geotechnical,
geology.
Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
Landscape Architect (BCSLA)
Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.)
E
Above Abandoned Mine
Workings Hazards
Professional Engineer (P.Eng., P.Geo.) with
applicable expertise in hydrology, geotechnical,
geology, civil, in relation to coal mining and
subsidence due to coal workings.
F
Sea Level Rise
Professional Engineer (P.Eng., P.Geo.) with
applicable expertise in hydrology, geotechnical,
geology, civil, in relation to sea level rise.
G
Wildfire Hazards
Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
Registered Forest Technologist
H
Climate Action
Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP)
Architect (MAIBC)
Landscape Architect (BCSLA)
LEED Approved Professional (AP)
Certified Energy Manager
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with applicable
expertise such as mechanical engineering.
Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio)
Economist
Bylaw No.7346
Page 9
I
Public Facilities and
Services
Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP)
Architect (MAIBC)
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with applicable
expertise such as civil engineering.
Registered Social Worker (BCCSW)
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
J
Economic and Social
Development
Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP)
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Economist
Appraiser (AIC)
Land Economist (DULE)
K
Archaeology
Registered Professional Archaeologist (BCAPA)
L
Heritage
Qualified Heritage Conservation Professional
(CAHP)
Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP)
Architect (MAIBC)
M
Form and Character / Built
Environment
Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP)
Architect (MAIBC)
Landscape Architect (BCSLA)
LEED Approved Professional (AP)