Charlottetown city council has scheduled a public meeting in early September to gather feedback from residents on the proposed new zoning and development bylaw. This bylaw determines construction regulations within the city, and after hosting multiple open house sessions, officials are now reviewing the feedback received. Alanna Jankov, Charlottetown’s deputy mayor, emphasized the importance of residents seeking clarification and asking questions during the upcoming meeting. She highlighted the council’s focus on addressing concerns raised by residents, particularly regarding the provision allowing up to four units in certain residential areas.
In response to the concerns, Jankov expressed hope that the public meeting would provide clarity on the contents of the extensive 200-page draft document. She explained that property owners seeking to convert their residences into multiple units must establish the property as their principal residence. Additionally, there is a zoning map indicating the residential zones where the provision for four units could apply.
The city faced a setback of $1.26 million from the federal government for delays in implementing the new zoning and development bylaw, which included the provision for four units as-of-right. The agreement with the federal government required Charlottetown to adjust its building permits and zoning regulations as part of a larger funding initiative. Following a review, the city was deemed non-compliant with its obligations, as stated in a news release from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
With the upcoming municipal election in November, Jankov stressed the importance of finalizing the bylaw before the election, aiming to complete the work initiated during the current council term. Councilor Mitchell Tweel proposed advertising the public meeting in a local newspaper, a suggestion that Jankov supported as a way to ensure broad outreach and community engagement.
