Village Review - Fall 2024 Update
The Village Review (update and rewrite of existing Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law) continues into the Fall. The latest version of the draft documents (dated August 2024, available in the Document Library) were rejected by Council following a public hearing held in September. Council, hearing from residents, was not prepared to adopt the documents until further changes were made. Direction from Council was to have the Village Planning Advisory Committee (VPAC) meet to review the main outstanding issues and provide recommendations back to Council for final changes.
The list of issues Council asked VPAC to review included:
- density concerns (Accessory Dwelling Units, Multi-unit residential structures in Core Commercial Zone)
- the extent of the Core Commercial Zone
- several ideas raised by members of the public that needed further review and legal comments including implementing a moratorium on all development in the Village or whether new development could be required to install a cistern as part of the development permit process.
VPAC met on October 10th and November 12th and have provided a number of recommendations for changes to the draft planning documents. VPAC will meet again on December 10th (beginning at 3:00pm in Council Chambers, 151 King Street). VPAC meetings are open to the public to attend and view the discussion. When VPAC has concluded their work, the package of recommendations will be brought forward to Council for consideration.
The expected process will then see staff making changes to the draft documents as directed by Council. Council will then determine whether further public meetings are required or whether the documents should be prepared for adoption (following a 3rd Public Hearing).
If you have questions regarding the draft documents, attending an upcoming VPAC or Council meeting, please do not hesitate to contact us at 902-275-2599 or email planning@chester.ca
