New grant will see development strategy created in Central Okanagan

Sep 21, 2021 | 1:30 PM Liam Verster

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) has been awarded a grant to help streamline development approval processes to reduce barriers and support economic recovery.

The RDCO has been awarded $371,000 from the Union of B.C. Municipalities to develop and implement a new Development Approvals Improvement Strategy.

RDCO Community Services Director, Todd Cashin, said the strategy will focus on reviewing what is currently done to see what is and what is not working.

“The goal is to update or create internal approvals and communications procedures that will result in more effective engagement regarding development processes,” said Cashin.

The objectives in the two-year project involve implementing new software; establishing an online application portal; reviewing existing processes and associated bylaws; and developing standard templates and guidelines.

The strategy will identify opportunities for improvements in these fields to make the permitting and approval process more efficient and user-friendly.

RDCO Chair, Gail Given, said the endeavor is important to the region as it quickly grows to be one of the most desirable places to live in B.C.

“Over the past five years we’ve seen development trends continue to increase across the region. This is having a direct impact and putting pressure on rural land in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West electoral areas,” said Given.

“By putting a streamlined strategy for development approvals into practice, we hope to raise awareness and understanding of the regional district process and strive for consistency across the region. And at the same time, we’ll create a more transparent and efficient process for potential applicants, while meeting the planning and policy objectives of the RDCO.”

The RDCO plans to hold engagement opportunities to raise awareness about overlapping jurisdictions and the regional district’s role in development and land-use application decisions, though no dates have been released as of yet.