RGS Review Underway
We are in the Adopt phase of the RGS Review, with a focus on public engagement on the draft bylaw, referrals, and the formal bylaw adoption process. See the RGS Review Consultation page for additional information. The following resolutions were made by the SLRD Board at the October 24, 2018 meeting:
THAT Bylaw No. 1562-2018, cited as “Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional
Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1062, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018”, be given
second reading, as amended.
THAT Bylaw No. 1562-2018, cited as “Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional
Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1062, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018”, be referred
to each member municipality for comments.
Background
On February 18, 2016 the SLRD Board resolved to accept the RGS Steering Committee recommendations to initiate a review of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1062, 2008, and to initiate the review as a Major Amendment, to address issues identified through the 2015 RGS Review Scoping Period. The SLRD Board also directed staff to prepare a Consultation Plan regarding the RGS Review, as required by the Local Government Act (LGA). The Consultation Schedule provides a summary of this plan; check out where we are at and what is coming up:
The RGS Review is intended to be an update not an overhaul of the current RGS. Some content revisions and additions are proposed (i.e. the development of a Food Systems Goal and Climate Change Goal), but the focus is really toward implementation of the RGS and developing criteria, guidelines, and processes to support collective agreement and responsibility.
RGS Projections
As part of the RGS Review, updating the RGS Population and Employment Projections was identified as a priority. These Projections had not been updated since 2004, and the RGS Review was seen as an opportunity to check in on regional trends. The opportunity to include Dwelling Unit Projections was also identified, as this is best practice for high-growth regions. See the RGS Projections page for full details and reports.
Legislative Requirements
The Local Government Act (LGA) sets requirements for regional districts with adopted regional growth strategies. Specifically, 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.
As it has been seven years since the SLRD Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Bylaw was completed (the RGS Bylaw was completed and received first/second reading in 2008, though not adopted until 2010), the SLRD needs to consider whether a review of the RGS is required.
RGS Review Scoping Period
On April 22, 2015 the Board resolved to accept the RGS Steering Committee recommendations to: 1) consider the 5 year review of the “Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1062, 2008”; 2) not initiate a review at this time and instead undergo a review and scoping period; and 3) direct staff to come back with a report and recommendations regarding the need for a review at the end of 2015.
The RGS Steering Committee met regularly in 2015 to conduct the preliminary review/scoping period. The October 2015 Information Report below provides an update on the process and focus of the scoping period discussions.
Staff Reports
The following staff reports provide an update on the project:
- October 24, 2018 - RGS Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018 (RGS Review) - second reading
- July 25, 2018 - RGS Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018 (RGS Review) Update - information report
- April 18, 2018 RGS Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018 (RGS Review) - first reading (originally included in the March 28, 2018 Board meeting package)
- April 2016 SLRD RGS Review Consultation Plan and Notification - request for decision report
- February 2016 SLRD RGS Review Initiation - request for decision report
- October 2015 SLRD RGS Review Scoping Period Update - information report
- April 2015 SLRD RGS Review Scoping Period - request for decision report
- March 2015 SLRD Regional Growth Strategy 2015 Review - information report
For further details, see the SLRD Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw page.