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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Drywall Tariff Update:
A joint coalition effort with
the Canadian Home Builder’s Association (CHBA), UDI and other stakeholders has resulted in substantial reductions to the Drywall Tariff.
Read more.
BC GOVERNMENT
Foreign Buyers’ Tax: UDI has sent a thank-you letter to the BC Government for the changes to the foreign buyer’s tax,
exempting highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs coming to this province from paying the tax. While UDI doesn’t have all the details yet, that’s a step in the right direction and what we urged back when the tax was introduced.
BC Budget 2017: UDI supported the Province’s Property Tax Relief for First-Time Homebuyers, additional schools funding & 5,000+ Units of Affordable Housing via
UDI media release.
BC Building Act Updates:
The Provincial Government has updated the list of technical building requirements that local governments will be allowed to keep in their municipal by-laws under the
Building Act. Please see the
linked information regarding the temporary exemptions and limits that will be placed on municipal by-laws as of December 15, 2017 under the
Building Act. UDI is hosting a meeting with provincial officials and members on March 30th to learn more on the
Building Act exemptions, the upcoming B.C. Building Code, fire standards, and the upcoming
Energy Step Code that local governments will be able to adopt as of December 15, 2017.
Energy Step Code:
After numerous discussions with provincial, municipal officials and stakeholders on the myriad of new and sometimes conflicting green building requirements, UDI is pleased to support the
more consistent, single direction of the upcoming Energy Step Code.
Local governments will be able to adopt this on December 15, 2017. UDI spoke at a webinar February 28th, with 200 participants from local governments. UDI’s presentation on industry views regarding step code implementation
is available here.
Ride-Sharing vehicles:
UDI believes
the provincial government’s plan to permit ride-sharing by the end of Dec. 2017 will reduce the need for costly on-site, underground vehicle parking requirements
in housing developments and possibly make housing more affordable.
Municipal Incentives:
The BC Government has taken UDI advice and offered additional resources to municipal planning departments to speed up building approvals, which can take up to seven years currently for
multi-family dwellings.
MUNICIPAL/REGIONAL
City of Burnaby:
UDI wrote a
letter endorsing the
Draft Metrotown Downtown Plan, which reflects some UDI recommendations and accommodates mixed-use, multi-family housing development around transit in this growing downtown centre.
City of Richmond:
The City of Richmond, Vancouver Coastal Health- Richmond and Richmond School District 38 have partnered to update the 2010-2015
Richmond Community Wellness Strategy, building upon successes and lessons learned. They’re inviting stakeholders, including developers who build their communities, to participate in the
online survey to guide the next strategy.
Township of Langley:
UDI’s Langley Liaison Committee members met with township staff February 22nd and 23rd to raise several issues to work on collaboratively. UDI will write a letter
to the Township on the township’s new CAC program.
City of Vancouver (CoV):
Through its municipal liaison committee, UDI and its members have had numerous discussions with CoV planners and policy makers on building challenges and solutions. At a March 7th
City Council meeting, senior planners proposed some significant steps forward to ensure homes can be built faster with a streamlined approval process.
Highlights:
- Proposals for fixed-rate CACs, DCL review, streamlined development processes and improved service standards/metrics/tracking with on-line permitting
- More knowledge sharing amongst civic staff and the industry
- Prioritized process for affordable housing, including market rental
- Regulatory review project with stakeholders (including UDI) plus public outreach
- Creation of
more district schedules to replace district policies and community plans, implement needed amendments to existing district schedules
- For more detail, the links to these proposals are:
Empty Homes Tax: UDI and the City of Vancouver met on February 24th
to discuss the Empty Homes Tax and how it will impact new development. The City will provide clarity to the development industry in April
on the taxation impacts. UDI is also working with the City to host a breakfast seminar on this topic in April.
Railtown Downzoning: Some UDI members have raised concerns about a potential downzoning in Railtown
related to a change from M-2 to I-4 zoning. Please see report:
Zoning Changes in Railtown and contact UDI with any questions or concerns.
HUB Cycling Survey: Final reminder-UDI members are encouraged to provide their opinion on cycling amenities in new construction projects in the City of Vancouver by taking this
6 minute survey before Friday, March 10, 2017.
City of North Vancouver:
City of North Vancouver wants to meet with UDI on April 5th at 2pm, City of North Vancouver City Hall to discuss their Density Bonus and Community Benefits Policy. Please contact UDI if you are interested in attending this meeting or providing your feedback on the proposed policy.
City of New Westminster:
The City of New Westminster wants to meet with UDI (at our office) on April 6th
at 4pm to discuss their Economic Development Strategy. Please
contact UDI if you are interested in participating in this review and meeting.
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