Proposed Amendments To Parking Regulations And Accessory Dwelling Unit Strategies In Campbell River

The City of Campbell River has provided an update on plans for the $10.4 million received in funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund.

It’s to help with the development of more housing and address the community’s housing needs.

This funding will be used to implement seven key initiatives to increase the supply of housing, address barriers to development and create a more affordable housing stock.

One of these key initiatives includes reductions to the City’s Parking Regulations.

Council gave first, second and third reading a bylaw amendment which would lead to the creation of higher density housing in the city, including mixed-use projects, and future development downtown and along the Dogwood Corridor.

The proposed changes come after a review of parking demand at existing apartment developments across the City.

Moving forward, the City says it will monitor the effects of the changes for any impact on parking spilling onto city streets.

Another key initiative in the City’s Action Plan is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Implementation Strategy.

To move legal suite creation along, Council supported a 20 per cent reduced water and sewer utility fee structure for accessory dwelling units beginning in 2025.

Council also gave first, second and third reading to an amendment which proposes a temporary three-year Amnesty Period Program.

That would permit a three-year exemption from building permit fees for owners looking to legalize an existing suite or build a new accessory dwelling unit.