The City of Abbotsford is seeking public input on an update to its zoning bylaw that will bring it in line with the province’s new housing legislation by June 30.
The province introduced the new legislation in 2023, with the requirement that each community permit up to four housing units on properties that were previously allowed only single detached buildings and/or duplexes.
The city says this change will impact approximately 22,000 properties in Abbotsford.
”In developing the new regulations for Abbotsford, the city is pursuing a moderate approach to the zoning changes in an effort to balance the critical need for housing, with other important considerations like retaining space for trees, yards, parking, and stormwater infrastructure,” the city says in a press release.
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Among the city’s proposals are that lots be kept to a minimum size of 540 square metres (5,800 square feet), that the housing units be located in one building and that there be a minimum of 1.5 parking stalls per unit.
The new legislation also requires that a city not deny an application to rezone properties near “transit-oriented areas” (TOAs) on the basis of height and density if they are within the maximum guidelines.
Within 200 metres of a bus exchange, the height cannot be more than 10 storeys and the density cannot be more than 3.5 times the size of the property.
Within 400 metres, the allowed maximum height is six storeys, and the maximum density is 2.5 times the size of the property.
The city can also not apply minimum parking requirements for residential uses within a TOA.
“This means that the amount of parking provided will be determined by the developer based on local conditions and market factors,” the city says.
So far, the province has identified the area around the Bourquin bus exchange as a TOA.
Feedback on the city’s proposed approach to implement the changes can be provided online at letstalkabbotsford.ca until May 17.
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