FAQs
How were the 14 City sites selected from all available lands?
The City looked at land it owns in established neighbourhoods that isn't currently used for housing but allows for residential uses in the Official Community Plan. Sites were then narrowed down based on visits, past studies, and a preliminary look at things like road access, slope, and location of servicing.
How many of the sites have playgrounds and rinks on them?
7 sites have playground, 5 sites have skating rinks, and 5 have both.
What would happen to the playgrounds and rinks if development occurs?
If a site moves forward, the City would look at options such as building around the existing playground or rink, relocating it within the area or nearby, or potentially replacing it with other recreation features.
Has there been any analysis of whether these neighbourhoods meet parkland standards?
The City doesn't currently have set standards for how much parkland or green space a neighbourhood should have. However, a draft review of parks and green space across the city's urban neighbourhoods has been completed. The results may help guide future recommendations and Council decisions.
Why are we looking at these areas?
The 2026 Housing Needs Assessment found the City could face a shortage of residential land in as few as 4.5 years. Other land that has been set aside for future development but doesn't yet have a timeline could add up to 11 more years of supply. Because it typically takes 4 to 6 years to go from planning to building homes, the City needs to start exploring new options now to avoid a gap in housing supply.
How do the South Growth and North Area Growth areas fit into this?
Work to determine whether development is feasible in those areas is nearly done. Staff from four governments are building a framework to confirm next steps. Master planning could begin as early as 2027, but those areas are large and will need many years of planning and development before lots are ready for sale.
Where are we at/what are the steps in the process?
1. Council has approved feasibility studies for the 14 sites. No decision has been made to develop any of them.
2. Once the studies are done, the City will recommend which sites could move forward. Council will then decide whether to proceed with master planning or rezoning.
3. Sites that move ahead will go through community engagement and either a master planning process or a rezoning and public hearing process, depending on the site.
4. After planning is complete, the Council will decide how to make the land available for development.
When would sites come back to Council for a decision?
Sites that need a master plan would come back to Council through a future budget process, at the earliest in winter 2026–2027. Sites that need rezoning could come back as early as fall 2026.
What is the difference between sites requiring master plans and sites requiring rezoning and subdivision?
Under the Official Community Plan, sites larger than 1.5 hectares that are rezoned or subdivided must go through a master planning process. The City's Land Use Master Plan Policy sets out how those plans are developed. Smaller sites follow a rezoning and subdivision (if applicable) process instead.
When will there be opportunity for public input?
The public will have a chance to provide input during the rezoning or master planning stage, once feasibility is confirmed and Council decides which sites to move forward. Rezonings require public hearings, which any resident can provide input on. Master plans require public engagement processes (e.g. community surveys, open houses, etc.) which provide an opportunity for the public to provide input.