1995 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 35th Parliament
FIRST READING
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
HONOURABLE DARLENE MARZARI
MINISTER OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia recognizes and wishes to build on the strengths of municipalities and regional districts to promote, in cooperation with other authorities, human settlement that is socially, economically and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities and services, land and other resources;
THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:
Part 1
Municipal Act Amendments
1 Section 1 of the Municipal Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 290, is amended by adding the following definitions:
"board", in relation to a regional district, means the board of directors for the regional district;
"director", in relation to a regional district, means a member of the board of the regional district, whether as a municipal director under section 776 or as an electoral area director under section 777;
"electoral area", in relation to a regional district, means an electoral area within the regional district, as specified by the letters patent for the regional district;
"official community plan" means a community plan adopted under section 947 or 948;
"regional growth strategy" means a regional growth strategy under Part 28.1; .
2 Section 766 (1) is amended by repealing the definitions of "board", "director", "electoral area" and "letters patent".
3 Section 770 (3) is repealed and the following substituted:
(3) The board of a regional district is the governing and executive body of the regional district and, except as otherwise provided in this Part, a power that is conferred on a regional district may be exercised by its board on behalf of the regional district.
4 Section 781 is amended
(a) by repealing subsection (1) (b) and substituting the following:
(b) voting in accordance with subsections (2) to (16). ,
(b) in subsection (3) by adding the following paragraph:
(d.1) resolutions and bylaws under Part 28.1, except as provided in subsection (16); , and
(c) by adding the following subsection:
(16) If a resolution or bylaw under Part 28.1 is in relation to a regional growth strategy for an area that is less than the entire regional district, except for votes on
(a) initiation of the regional growth strategy,
(b) boundary changes for the area to which the regional growth strategy is to apply,
(c) implementation agreements under section 942.3, and
(d) acceptance of a regional growth strategy for an adjoining regional district,
the directors who may vote are only those who represent a municipality or electoral area all or part of which is subject to the regional growth strategy.
5 Section 787 (d) is repealed and the following substituted:
(d) regional district planning services consisting of
(i) the development, adoption, implementation, monitoring and review of a regional growth strategy under Part 28.1, and
(ii) coordination, research and analytical services relating to the development of the regional district; .
6 Section 808 is amended by adding the following:
(3.1) Notwithstanding subsection (3), if general services referred to in section 787 (d) (i) are in relation to a regional growth strategy for an area that is less than the entire regional district, the costs of providing the services shall be apportioned among the areas for which the regional growth strategy is initiated or adopted on the basis of the converted value of land and improvements.
7 The following Part is added:
Part 28.1 -- Regional Growth Strategies
942.1 In this Part:
"affected local government", in relation to a regional growth strategy, means a local government whose acceptance of the regional growth strategy is required under section 942.19;
"converted value of land and improvements" means the converted value of land and improvements within the meaning of section 808;
"facilitator", in relation to a regional growth strategy, means the facilitator designated by the minister under section 942.18;
"first nation" means an aboriginal governing body, however organized and established by aboriginal people within their traditional territory in British Columbia;
"greater board" means a greater board as defined in section 943 (1);
"improvement district board" means the board of trustees for an improvement district;
"initiate", in relation to a regional growth strategy, means initiation under section 942.16;
"municipality" includes the City of Vancouver;
"official community plan" includes
(a) an official settlement plan under section 809 (3) of this Act before that section was repealed by section 4 of the Municipal Amendment Act, 1985,
(b) Part 1 of a rural land use bylaw, and
(c) an official development plan under the Vancouver Charter;
"regional context statement" means a regional context statement referred to in section 942.28;
"regional matter" means a matter that involves coordination between or affects more than one municipality, more than one electoral area, or at least one of each, in a regional district.
Division (1) -- Application and Content of Regional Growth Strategy
942.11 (1) The purpose of a regional growth strategy is to promote human settlement that is socially, economically and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities and services, land and other resources.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), to the extent that a regional growth strategy deals with these matters, it should work towards but not be limited to the following:
(a) avoiding urban sprawl and ensuring that development takes place where adequate facilities exist or can be provided in a timely, economic and efficient manner;
(b) settlement patterns that minimize the use of automobiles and encourage walking, bicycling and the efficient use of public transit;
(c) the efficient movement of goods and people while making effective use of transportation and utility corridors;
(d) protecting environmentally sensitive areas;
(e) maintaining the integrity of a secure and productive resource base, including the agricultural and forest land reserves;
(f) economic development that supports the unique character of communities;
(g) reducing and preventing air, land and water pollution;
(h) adequate, affordable and appropriate housing;
(i) adequate inventories of suitable land and resources for future settlement;
(j) protecting the quality and quantity of ground water and surface water;
(k) settlement patterns that minimize the risks associated with natural hazards;
(l) preserving, creating and linking urban and rural open space including parks and recreation areas;
(m) planning for energy supply and promoting efficient use, conservation and alternative forms of energy;
(n) good stewardship of land, sites and structures with cultural heritage value.
942.12 (1) A board may adopt a regional growth strategy for the purpose of guiding decisions on growth, change and development within its regional district.
(2) A regional growth strategy must cover a period of at least 20 years from the time of its initiation and must include the following:
(a) a comprehensive statement on the future of the region, including the social, economic and environmental objectives of the board in relation to the regional district;
(b) population and employment projections for the period covered by the regional growth strategy;
(c) to the extent that these are regional matters, actions proposed for the regional district to provide for the needs of the projected population in relation to
(i) housing,
(ii) transportation,
(iii) regional district services,
(iv) parks and natural areas, and
(v) economic development.
(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2), a regional growth strategy may deal with any other regional matter.
(4) A regional growth strategy may include any information, maps, illustrations or other material.
942.13 (1) Unless authorized under subsection (2) or required under section 942.14, a regional growth strategy must apply to all of the regional district for which it is adopted.
(2) On request by the applicable board or boards, the minister may authorize a regional growth strategy that
(a) applies to only part of a regional district, or
(b) is developed jointly by 2 or more regional districts to apply to all or parts of those regional districts.
(3) The minister may establish terms and conditions for a regional growth strategy authorized under subsection (2) or required under section 942.14.
(4) If the minister considers this necessary or advisable for a regional district service in relation to a regional growth strategy referred to in subsection (3), the minister may by order give directions respecting the operation of the service, sharing of costs, voting on bylaws and resolutions relating to the service, the intergovernmental advisory committee and other matters relating to the regional growth strategy.
(5) To the extent of any inconsistency between this Act and an order under subsection (4), the order prevails.
942.14 (1) On the recommendation of the minister, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, do one or both of the following:
(a) designate areas for which a regional growth strategy must be developed and adopted;
(b) specify a time by which the regional growth strategy must be adopted.
(2) The minister must not make a recommendation referred to in subsection (1) unless, in the opinion of the minister, the area to which the regional growth strategy is proposed to apply has been experiencing significant change in its population, its economic development or an aspect of growth or development that involves coordination between local governments or affects more than one local government.
Division (2) -- Preparation and Adoption Procedures
942.15 (1) The following are required before a regional growth strategy is adopted:
(a) the regional growth strategy must be initiated in accordance with section 942.16;
(b) consultation must be conducted in accordance with section 942.17;
(c) the regional growth strategy must be accepted by affected local governments in accordance with section 942.19.
(2) As an exception to subsection (1) (c), a regional growth strategy may be adopted without acceptance in relation to a specific provision if
(a) the provision is included on the basis that it is not binding on the jurisdiction of a local government that has refused to accept it, and
(b) the board considers that it is not essential to the regional growth strategy that the provision apply to that jurisdiction.
(3) A provision included under subsection (2) becomes binding on a jurisdiction if, at any time after adoption of the regional growth strategy, the local government for the jurisdiction indicates to the board that it accepts the provision.
(4) This Part, as it applies to the initiation, development and adoption of a regional growth strategy, applies to the amendment and repeal of a regional growth strategy.
942.16 (1) The preparation of a regional growth strategy must be initiated by resolution of the board.
(2) If a regional growth strategy is to apply to less than the entire regional district or is to be prepared jointly with another regional district, this must be authorized under section 942.13 (2) or required under section 942.14 before the regional growth strategy is initiated.
(3) If, at the time of initiation, the board proposes to deal with an additional regional matter referred to in section 942.12 (3), the initiating resolution must identify the matter.
(4) The proposing board must give written notice of an initiation under this section to affected local governments and to the minister.
942.17 (1) During the development of a regional growth strategy,
(a) the proposing board must provide opportunity for consultation with persons, organizations and authorities who the board considers will be affected by the regional growth strategy, and
(b) the board and the affected local governments must make all reasonable efforts to reach agreement on a proposed regional growth strategy.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) (a), as soon as possible after the initiation of a regional growth strategy, the board must adopt a consultation plan that, in the opinion of the board, provides opportunities for early and on-going consultation with, at a minimum,
(a) its citizens,
(b) affected local governments,
(c) first nations,
(d) school district boards, greater boards and improvement district boards, and
(e) the Provincial and federal governments and their agencies.
(3) A failure to comply with a consultation plan under subsection (2) does not invalidate the regional growth strategy as long as reasonable consultation has been conducted.
(4) After second reading and before the regional growth strategy is submitted for acceptance under section 942.19, the board or a delegated panel of the board must conduct a public hearing that provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations to make their views known regarding the regional growth strategy.
(5) The minister may make regulations respecting the procedure to be used for hearings under subsection (4).
(6) For certainty, at any time during the development of a regional growth strategy, additional regional matters may be included in accordance with section 942.12 (3).
942.18 (1) The minister may appoint facilitators for the purposes of this Part, whose responsibilities are
(a) to monitor and assist local governments in reaching agreement on the acceptance of regional growth strategies during their development by
(i) facilitating negotiations between the local governments,
(ii) facilitating the resolution of anticipated objections,
(iii) providing assistance to local governments in setting up and using non-binding resolution processes, and
(iv) facilitating the involvement of the Provincial and federal governments and their agencies, first nations, school district boards, greater boards and improvement district boards, and
(b) to assist local governments in entering into implementation agreements under section 942.3.
(2) On being notified that a regional growth strategy has been initiated, the minister may designate a person appointed under subsection (1) as the facilitator responsible in relation to the regional growth strategy.
(3) At any time until the end of the period for acceptance or refusal under section 942.19 (4) (b), the facilitator is to provide assistance referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section if requested
(a) by the proposing board or an affected local government, or
(b) by an electoral area director of the proposing board, if this is supported by at least 2 other directors.
(4) Once a facilitator becomes involved under subsection (3), the proposing board and affected local governments must provide information as requested by the facilitator and must otherwise cooperate with the facilitator in fulfilling his or her responsibilities.
942.19 (1) Before it is adopted, a regional growth strategy must be accepted by the affected local governments or, failing acceptance, become binding on the affected local governments under section 942.22 (6).
(2) Acceptance of a regional growth strategy by an affected local government must be done by resolution of the local government.
(3) For the purposes of this section, after the public hearing under section 942.17 (4) and before third reading of the bylaw to adopt a regional growth strategy, the board must submit the regional growth strategy to
(a) the council of each municipality all or part of which is covered by the regional growth strategy,
(b) the board of each regional district that is adjoining an area to which the regional growth strategy is to apply, and
(c) the facilitator or, if no facilitator for the regional growth strategy has been designated, the minister.
(4) After receiving a proposed regional growth strategy under subsection (3), each affected local government must
(a) review the regional growth strategy in the context of any community plans and regional growth strategies for its jurisdiction, both those that are current and those that are in preparation, and in the context of any other matters that affect its jurisdiction, and
(b) subject to an extension under section 942.2 (3), within 120 days of receipt either
(i) accept the regional growth strategy, or
(ii) respond, by resolution, to the proposing board indicating that the local government refuses to accept the regional growth strategy.
(5) An acceptance under subsection (4) (b) becomes effective
(a) when all affected local governments have accepted the regional growth strategy, or
(b) at the end of the period for acceptance or refusal under that subsection if, at the end of that period, all affected local governments have not accepted the regional growth strategy.
(6) If an affected local government fails to act under subsection (4) (b) within the period for acceptance or refusal, the local government is deemed to have accepted the regional growth strategy.
(7) If an affected local government refuses to accept the regional growth strategy, its resolution under subsection (4) (b) (ii) must also indicate
(a) each provision to which it objects,
(b) the reasons for its objection, and
(c) whether it is willing that a provision to which it objects be included in the regional growth strategy on the basis that the provision will not apply to its jurisdiction, as referred to in section 942.15 (2).
(8) All affected local governments are entitled to participate in any non-binding resolution processes used to resolve an objection or anticipated objection by an affected local government.
942.2 (1) Before the end of the 120 days referred to in section 942.19 (4) (b), the facilitator may require the proposing board and the affected local governments to identify any issues on which they anticipate that acceptance may not be reached.
(2) If an issue is identified under subsection (1),
(a) the facilitator may require the proposing board and the affected local governments to send representatives to a meeting convened by the facilitator for the purpose of clarifying the issues involved and encouraging their resolution, and
(b) the proposing board and the affected local governments must provide information as requested by the facilitator and must otherwise cooperate with the facilitator in fulfilling his or her responsibilities.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the facilitator may extend the period for acceptance or refusal under section 942.19 (4) (b).
942.21 (1) The proposing board must notify the minister in writing if an affected local government refuses to accept a proposed regional growth strategy.
(2) After being notified under subsection (1), the minister must
(a) require a non-binding resolution process to attempt to reach acceptance on the regional growth strategy, specifying a time period in which the parties must begin the resolution process, or
(b) if satisfied that resolution using a non-binding resolution process under paragraph (a) is unlikely, direct that the regional growth strategy is to be settled under section 942.22.
(3) The choice of non-binding resolution process is to be determined by agreement between the proposing board and the local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy but, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, the minister must direct which process is to be used.
(4) Any affected local government may participate in a non-binding resolution process under this section.
(5) Unless otherwise agreed by these parties, the fees of any neutral person participating in the non-binding resolution process and the administrative costs of the process, other than the costs incurred by the parties participating in the process, are to be shared proportionally between the proposing board and the affected local governments that participate in the process on the basis of the converted value of land and improvements in their jurisdictions.
(6) If changes to a regional growth strategy are proposed as a result of a resolution process under subsection
(2) (a), the regional growth strategy must be submitted again to the affected local governments for acceptance in accordance with section 942.19.
(7) If acceptance is not reached within 60 days after a non-binding resolution process under this section is concluded, the regional growth strategy must be settled under section 942.22 unless the proposing board and the affected local governments can reach an agreement on the provisions of the regional growth strategy before the settlement process is completed.
942.22 (1) If acceptance by affected local governments cannot otherwise be reached under this Part, the regional growth strategy is to be settled by one of the following:
(a) peer panel settlement in accordance with section 942.23 (1);
(b) final proposal arbitration in accordance with section 942.23 (2);
(c) full arbitration in accordance with section 942.23 (3).
(2) If more than one affected local government has refused to accept a regional growth strategy, whether the refusals are in relation to the same or different issues, the regional growth strategy is to be settled for all affected local governments in the same settlement proceedings.
(3) The choice of process for settlement is to be determined by agreement between the proposing board and the local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy but, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, the minister must direct which process is to be used.
(4) Any affected local government may participate in a settlement process under section 942.23.
(5) During the 60 days after the provisions of a regional growth strategy are settled under section 942.23, the proposing board and the affected local governments may agree on the acceptance of a regional growth strategy that differs from the one settled.
(6) At the end of the period under subsection (5), unless agreement is reached as referred to in that subsection, the provisions of a regional growth strategy as settled under section 942.23 become binding on the proposing board and all affected local governments, whether or not they participated in the settlement process.
942.23 (1) As one option, the provisions of a regional growth strategy may be settled by a peer panel as follows:
(a) the panel is to be composed of 3 persons selected from the applicable list under section 942.24 (1);
(b) the selection of the panel is to be done by agreement between the proposing board and the local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy or, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, by the minister;
(c) subject to the regulations, the panel may conduct the proceedings in the manner it determines;
(d) the panel must settle the disputed issues of the regional growth strategy and may make any changes to the provisions of the regional growth strategy that it considers necessary to resolve those issues;
(e) the panel must give written reasons for its decision if this is requested by the proposing board or an affected local government before the panel retires to make its decision.
(2) As a second option, the provisions of a regional growth strategy may be settled by final proposal arbitration by a single arbitrator as follows:
(a) the arbitrator is to be selected from the applicable list under section 942.24 (1);
(b) the selection of the arbitrator is to be done by agreement between the proposing board and the local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy or, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, by the minister;
(c) subject to the regulations, the arbitrator must conduct the proceedings on the basis of a review of written documents and written submissions only, and must determine each disputed issue by selecting one of the final written proposals for resolving that issue submitted by one of the participating parties;
(d) the provisions of the regional growth strategy will be as settled by the arbitrator after incorporation of the final proposals selected by the arbitrator under paragraph (c);
(e) no written reasons are to be provided by the arbitrator.
(3) As a third option, the provisions of a regional growth strategy may be settled by full arbitration by a single arbitrator as follows:
(a) the arbitrator is to be selected from the applicable list under section 942.24 (1);
(b) the selection of the arbitrator is to be done by agreement between the proposing board and the local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy or, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, by the minister;
(c) subject to the regulations, the arbitrator may conduct the proceedings in the manner he or she determines;
(d) the provisions of the regional growth strategy will be as settled by the arbitrator, who is not restricted in his or her decision to submissions made by the parties on the disputed issues;
(e) the arbitrator must give written reasons for the decision.
General provisions regarding settlement process
942.24 (1) Lists of persons who may act on a panel under section 942.23 (1), as an arbitrator under section 942.23 (2) or as an arbitrator under section 942.23
(3) are to be prepared by the minister in consultation with representatives of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
(2) Persons who may be included on a list for a panel under section 942.23 (1) are persons who are or have been elected officials of a local government or who, in the opinion of the minister, have appropriate experience in relation to local government matters.
(3) In the case of a specific regional growth strategy, a person may not be appointed to a panel or as an arbitrator if the person is, or was at any time since the regional growth strategy was initiated, an elected official of the proposing board or an affected local government for the regional growth strategy.
(4) Subject to a direction by the panel or arbitrator or an agreement between the parties, the fees and reasonable and necessary expenses of the members of a peer panel or arbitrator and the administrative costs of the process, other than the costs incurred by the parties participating in the process, are to be shared proportionally between the proposing board and the affected local governments that participate in the process on the basis of the converted value of land and improvements in their jurisdictions.
(5) The directors of the electoral areas to which the regional growth strategy is proposed to apply and the Provincial government may make representations in the settlement process, subject to any conditions set by the panel or arbitrator.
(6) The time limit for bringing any judicial review of a decision of a panel or arbitrator under section 942.23 is the end of the period for agreement under section 942.22 (5).
(7) The minister may make regulations regarding settlement processes under section 942.23, which may be different for different settlement processes, including regulations respecting the authority of a panel or arbitrator in settling a regional growth strategy and requiring the cooperation of local governments in relation to the settlement processes.
942.25 (1) A regional growth strategy must be adopted by bylaw.
(2) As soon as practicable after adopting a regional growth strategy, the board must send a copy of the regional growth strategy to the affected local governments, to any greater boards and improvement districts within the regional district and to the minister.
942.26 (1) If a proposed regional growth strategy has been accepted by the affected local governments or has become binding under section 942.22 (6), but has not been adopted by the proposing board, on the recommendation of the minister, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, specify a time by which the board must adopt the regional growth strategy.
(2) If the board does not adopt the regional growth strategy within the period specified under subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, deem the regional growth strategy to have been adopted by the board, in which case it applies as if it had been adopted by a valid bylaw of the board.
Division (3) -- Effect of Regional Growth Strategy
942.27 (1) All bylaws adopted by a regional district board after the board has adopted a regional growth strategy, and all works and services undertaken by a regional district after the board has adopted a regional growth strategy, must be consistent with the regional growth strategy.
(2) All bylaws adopted by a greater board or an improvement district board after the adoption of a regional growth strategy applicable to its jurisdiction, and all works and services provided by a greater board or an improvement district board after the adoption of a regional growth strategy applicable to its jurisdiction, must be consistent with the regional growth strategy.
(3) A regional growth strategy does not commit or authorize a regional district, municipality, greater board or improvement district to proceed with any project that is specified in the regional growth strategy.
942.28 (1) If a regional growth strategy applies to all or part of the same area of a municipality as an official community plan, the official community plan must include a regional context statement that is accepted in accordance with this section by the board of the regional district for which the regional growth strategy is adopted.
(2) A regional context statement under subsection (1) must specifically identify
(a) the relationship between the official community plan and the matters referred to in section 942.12 (2) and any other regional matters included under section 942.12 (3), and
(b) if applicable, how the official community plan is to be made consistent with the regional growth strategy over time.
(3) A regional context statement under subsection (1) and the rest of the official community plan must be consistent.
(4) The council must
(a) submit a proposed regional context statement required under this section for acceptance by the board,
(b) submit any amendments to the regional context statement for acceptance by the board, and
(c) review the regional context statement at least once every 5 years after its latest acceptance by the board and, if no amendment is proposed, submit the statement to the board for its continued acceptance.
(5) For the purpose of subsection (4), the board must respond by resolution within 120 days of receipt indicating whether or not it accepts the regional context statement or amendment and, if the board refuses to accept the regional context statement or amendment, indicating
(a) each provision to which it objects, and
(b) the reasons for its objection.
(6) If the board fails to act under subsection (5) within the period for acceptance or refusal under that subsection, the board is deemed to have accepted the regional context statement or amendment.
(7) Sections 942.21 to 942.24 and 942.26 apply regarding the acceptance and adoption of a regional context statement.
(8) After a regional growth strategy is adopted, the requirement under subsection (1) must be fulfilled by the applicable council submitting a proposed regional context statement to the board within 2 years after the regional growth strategy is adopted.
Division (4) -- General
942.29 (1) A board may establish an intergovernmental advisory committee for its regional district and must establish an intergovernmental advisory committee for its regional district when a regional growth strategy is initiated.
(2) The role of an intergovernmental advisory committee is
(a) to advise the applicable local governments on the development and implementation of the regional growth strategy, and
(b) to facilitate coordination of Provincial and local government actions, policies and programs as they relate to the development and implementation of the regional growth strategy.
(3) The membership of an intergovernmental advisory committee is to include the following:
(a) the planning director of the regional district, or another official appointed by the board;
(b) the planning director, or another official appointed by the applicable council, of each municipality all or part of which is covered by the regional growth strategy;
(c) senior representatives of the Provincial government and Provincial government agencies and corporations, determined by the minister after consultation with the board;
(d) representatives of other authorities and organizations if invited to participate by the board.
942.3 (1) A local government may enter into agreements respecting the coordination of activities relating to the implementation of a regional growth strategy.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the Provincial government may enter into agreements under subsection (1) respecting Provincial commitments to act consistently with a regional growth strategy and to take actions necessary to implement a regional growth strategy.
(3) In addition to agreements with the Provincial government and its agencies, agreements under subsection (1) may be made with the federal govern ment and its agencies, other local governments, first nations, school district boards, greater boards, improvement district boards and other local authorities.
942.31 (1) A regional district that has adopted a regional growth strategy must
(a) establish a program to monitor its implementation and the progress made towards its objectives and actions, and
(b) prepare an annual report on that implementation and progress.
(2) At least once every 5 years, a regional district that has adopted a regional growth strategy must consider whether the regional growth strategy must be reviewed for possible amendment.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the regional district must provide an opportunity for input on the need for review from the persons, organizations and authorities referred to in section 942.17 (2).
942.32 (1) The minister may establish policy guidelines regarding the process of developing and adopting regional growth strategies and official community plans.
(2) The minister, or the minister together with other ministers, may establish policy guidelines regarding the content of regional growth strategies and official community plans.
(3) Guidelines under subsection (1) or (2) may only be established after consultation by the minister with representatives of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
942.33 After a regional growth strategy has been adopted, the minister may require a municipality or regional district to adopt, within a time specified by the minister, an official community plan, a rural land use bylaw, a zoning bylaw or a subdivision servicing bylaw for an area that is covered by the regional growth strategy and to which no such plan or bylaw currently applies.
8 Section 943 (1) is amended by repealing the definitions of "board" and "official community plan".
9 Section 945 is amended
(a) by adding the following subsection:
(1.1) To the extent that an official community plan deals with these matters, it should work towards the purpose and goals referred to in section 942.11. , and
(b) by repealing subsection (2.2) and substituting the following:
(2.2) A community plan may include
(a) policies of the local government relating to social needs, social well-being and social development, and
(b) a regional context statement, consistent with the rest of the community plan, of how matters referred to in section 942.12 (2) (a) to (c), and other matters dealt with in the community plan, apply in a regional context.
10 Section 947 (2) is amended by adding the following paragraph:
(a.1) refer a regional context statement under section 945 (2.2) for comment to the board of the regional district of which the municipality is a member, .
11 Section 952 is amended by adding the following subsections:
(6) To the extent that Part 1 of a rural land use bylaw deals with these matters, it should work towards the purpose and goals referred to in section 942.11.
(7) Part 1 of a rural land use bylaw may include a regional context statement, consistent with the rest of the Part, of how matters referred to in section 942.12 (2) (a) to (c), and other matters dealt with in that Part, apply in a regional context.
Part 2
Islands Trust Act Amendments
12 Section 13 of the Islands Trust Act, S.B.C. 1989, c. 68, is amended by adding the following subsection:
(2.1) Between first and second readings of a bylaw under subsection (1), the trust council must refer the proposed trust policy statement to the board of each regional district, all or part of which is within the trust area, for review and comment by the board.
13 Section 32 is repealed and the following substituted:
32 The board of a regional district, all or part of which is within the trust area, shall not
(a) adopt a bylaw,
(b) issue a permit, or
(c) undertake work
respecting the trust area that is contrary to or at variance with a bylaw of a local trust committee or a service coordination agreement under section 33.1 (1).
14 Section 33 is amended by adding the following subsection:
(3) A regional district board shall not adopt a regional growth strategy under Part 28.1 of the Municipal Act that applies to any part of the trust area, and for these purposes sections 942.13 (1) and 942.16 (2) of that Act do not apply.
15 The following section is added:
33.1 (1) The trust council and the board of a regional district, all or part of which is within the trust area, may enter into agreements respecting the coordination of official community plans, rural land use bylaws and the trust policy statement with services to be provided within the trust area by the regional district.
(2) An agreement under subsection (1) may provide for the sharing by the trust council and the regional district of the costs of the services covered by the agreement.
(3) The trust council, a local trust committee or the executive committee acting as a local trust committee shall not adopt a bylaw that is contrary to or at variance with an agreement under subsection (1).
(4) The trust council or the executive committee shall not approve a bylaw of a local trust committee that is contrary to or at variance with an agreement under subsection (1).
(5) Despite section 781 of the Municipal Act, for voting in relation to an agreement under this section, the regional board directors who represent a municipality or electoral area all or part of which is within the trust area may vote.
Part 3
Vancouver Charter Amendments
16 Section 2.1 (1) of the Vancouver Charter, S.B.C. 1953, c. 55, is repealed and the following substituted:
(1) Sections 25, 237, 514 to 523, 617 to 619, 683, 766 to 821, 847, Division (4.1) of Part 28, Part 28.1 and sections 932.1 (3) and 988 (6) of the Municipal Act apply to the city.
17 Section 561 (4) is repealed and the following substituted:
(4) A development plan under this section may include
(a) policies of the Council relating to social needs, social well-being and social development, and
(b) a regional context statement, consistent with the rest of the development plan, of how matters referred to in section 942.12 (2) (a) to (c) of the Municipal Act, and other matters dealt with in the development plan, apply in a regional context.
(5) To the extent that a development plan under this section deals with these matters, it should work towards the purpose and goals referred to in section 942.11 of the Municipal Act.
18 Section 562 is repealed and the following substituted:
562 (1) The Council may, by by-law,
(a) adopt as the official development plan, or as a part of the official development plan, any development plan prepared under section 561, or
(b) revise or amend the official development plan or any part of the official development plan.
(2) If a by-law under subsection (1) adopts or amends a regional context statement under section 561 (4) (b), before adoption of the by-law the Council must refer the by-law for comment to the board of the Greater Vancouver Regional District.
Part 4
Consequential and transitional provisions
Agricultural Land Commission Act
19 Section 31 (1) (a) of the Agricultural Land Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 9, is repealed and the following substituted:
(a) a bylaw made by a municipality or regional district under the Municipal Act or the Vancouver Charter that adopts a regional growth strategy, official settlement plan, official community plan, official development plan, rural land use bylaw or zoning bylaw, and .
20 (1) If a regional district is already engaged in a regional planning process at the time this section comes into force, the minister may, by order, exempt the regional district from specified provisions of the Municipal Act in relation to that planning process and may make other provisions in their place.
(2) After a board has adopted a regional planning document developed by a process exempted under subsection (1), the minister may, by order, deem the document to be a regional growth strategy adopted under Part 28.1 of the Municipal Act.
SECTION 1: [Municipal Act, amends section 1] adds definitions for the purposes of the proposed Part 28.1 (Regional Growth Strategies) of the Municipal Act.
SECTION 2: [Municipal Act, amends section 766] repeals definitions that are proposed to be included in section 1 of the Municipal Act.
SECTION 3: [Municipal Act, amends section 770] is consequential to the definition of "board" proposed to be included in section 1 of the Municipal Act.
SECTION 4: [Municipal Act, amends section 781] establishes the rules for voting on matters related to the proposed Part 28.1 of the Municipal Act.
SECTION 5: [Municipal Act, amends section 787] makes the development, adoption and implementation of a regional growth strategy under the proposed Part 28.1 of the Municipal Act a general service of regional districts.
SECTION 6: [Municipal Act, amends section 808] provides that costs in relation to a regional growth strategy that does not cover all of the regional district are to be borne by the areas that are covered.
SECTION 7: [Municipal Act, adds Part 28.1] authorizes regional districts to undertake long term planning by developing, adopting and implementing regional growth strategies under this Part.
SECTION 8: [Municipal Act, amends section 943] repeals definitions that are proposed to be included in section 1 of the Municipal Act.
SECTION 9: [Municipal Act, amends section 945]
SECTION 10: [Municipal Act, amends section 947] adds a requirement that community plans containing a regional context statement must be referred to the applicable regional district for comment.
SECTION 11: [Municipal Act, amends section 952] adds for rural land use bylaws equivalent provisions in relation to planning goals and regional context statements as are established for official community plans by the proposed amendments to section 945.
SECTION 12: [Islands Trust Act, amends section 13] adds an opportunity for regional district boards to comment on the Trust Policy Statement of the Islands Trust.
SECTION 13: [Islands Trust Act, reenacts section 32] adds a requirement that regional district bylaws must not conflict with an agreement under the proposed section 33.1 of the Act.
SECTION 14: [Islands Trust Act, amends section 33] ensures that only one long term planning document applies to the area of the Islands Trust by preventing regional districts from adopting regional growth strategies in relation to that area.
SECTION 15: [Islands Trust Act, adds section 33.1] authorizes the trust council of the Islands Trust and regional district boards to enter into service coordination agreements.
SECTION 16: [Vancouver Charter, amends section 2.1] makes the proposed Regional Growth Strategies Part of the Municipal Act apply to the City of Vancouver.
SECTION 17: [Vancouver Charter, amends section 561] adds a requirement that official development plans for the City of Vancouver be consistent with the purpose and goals established for regional growth strategies under the proposed Part 28.1 of the Municipal Act and authorizes the inclusion of a regional context statement in an official development plan.
SECTION 18: [Vancouver Charter, reenacts section 562] adds a requirement for the council of the City of Vancouver to consult with the Greater Vancouver Regional District respecting any proposed regional context statement in a development plan for the City.
SECTION 19: [Agricultural Land Commission Act, amends section 31] adds a reference to regional growth strategies to the bylaws that must not conflict with the Agricultural Land Commission Act and regulations and orders under that Act.
SECTION 20: [ transitional -- regional planning in progress] allows special provision to be made for regional planning processes that are already under way.
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