Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Review

Apr 18, 2018
District of Lillooet, District of Squamish, Electoral Area B, Electoral Area C, Electoral Area D, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Village of Pemberton

RGS Review Underway

We are entering into 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 April 18, 2018 Board 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 first reading.

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 and First Nations, for comments.

THAT the Board direct staff to hold a community open house/information session in each member municipality to share information and receive input on Bylaw No. 1562-2018, cited as “Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1062, 2008, Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018”.

Check out the SLRD staff report and presentation to learn more.

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: 

UPDATED CONSULTATION SCHEDULE

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:

For further details, see the SLRD Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw page. 

Inside the SLRD > Current Projects & Initiatives > Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Review