Whereas the Province of BC, along with the rest of the world, is experiencing increasing incidents of extreme weather, including deadly heat waves which are intensified by the urban heat island effect and lack of neighbourhood greenness; And whereas the Province has committed to addressing climate risk mitigation and adaptation at the same time as providing needed housing but may not be foreseeing potential negative consequences that can be ameliorated: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to revise Bill 44 and Bill 47 to embed tree protection, tree canopy expansion, and climate resilience into the policy and ensure local governments retain clear authority to: - protect mature trees and tree canopy in residential neighbourhoods; and - implement locally developed Climate Action Plans.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs Local governments retain authority to manage growth in and near environmentally sensitive areas through tools such as development permits and tree protection bylaws. Provincial legislation and regulation including the Drinking Water Protection Act, the Environmental Management Act, the Riparian Areas Protection Act, the Water Sustainability Act, the Agricultural Land Commission Act, and Agricultural Land Reserve Use Regulation continue to protect environmentally sensitive areas, agricultural areas, and natural resources from the impacts of development. Minimum density requirements do not override protections for environmentally sensitive areas and riparian areas. To support the implementation of new housing legislation, the Province provided a range of guidance for local governments. The policy manual for Bill 44 outlines recommended site standards designed to balance viable small-scale multi-unit housing development with the need for permeable surfaces and space which could support mature trees and tree canopies in residential neighbourhoods. The policy manual also encourages local governments to be flexible in terms of permitting the full range of combinations and configurations for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing SSMUH buildings. For example, rather than create a zone that permits a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, a zone could permit up to four housing units, without limiting the form those buildings should take. This approach will allow a form that responds to the local needs of the community and creates flexibility, enabling landowners to build in a way that considers factors like builder expertise, as well as important site considerations like topography, tree canopy, heritage, and environmental values. The policy manual also recommends low or no parking requirements which can significantly increase permeable, open space to support tree retentionplanting, reduce impacts on stormwater flows and infrastructure, and improve livability for both new and existing homes.