Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Review

Aug 1, 2018
District of Lillooet, District of Squamish, Electoral Area B, Electoral Area C, Electoral Area D, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Village of Pemberton

RGS 5-Year Review Underway

    We are in the Adopt phase of the RGS Review. See the RGS Review Consultation Page for additional information.

    The following resolutions were made by the SLRD Board at the July 24, 2019 meeting:

    • THAT the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Board accept the revised mapping from the District of Squamish in order to reduce the amount of requested additional “settlement land” in the District of Squamish by 4 ha (as outlined on the updated mapping).
    • THAT SLRD staff amend the RGS Settlement Map to reflect the mapping change requested by the District of Squamish.
    • THAT the SLRD Board direct staff to initiate the 60-day official referral of Regional Growth Strategy Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018 to all affected local governments as required by section 436 of the Local Government Act.

    ​RGS Amendment Bylaw No. 1562-2018 (at Second Reading)
    Mapping

    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). Here is the timeline of events to date:

    TIMELINE

    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.  

    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