Charlottetown city council is organizing a public gathering in early September to gather feedback from residents on the proposed new zoning and development bylaw for the city. This bylaw outlines regulations on construction locations and types within Charlottetown. Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov mentioned that there have been multiple open house sessions, and officials are currently reviewing the input received.
Jankov, who leads the planning and heritage committee, expressed the hope that attendees will actively engage by asking questions and seeking clarification during the meeting. The primary focus for the staff and consultants is to address concerns raised by residents and concentrate on the key aspects of the zoning and development bylaw that will impact them.
One significant concern highlighted by Jankov and some council members is the provision for four units as-of-right, allowing residents in certain residential areas to add up to three additional units to their primary residence. Jankov anticipates that the public meeting will help elucidate the contents of the extensive 200-page draft document.
To convert a property into multiple units, the owner must ensure that it is their principal residence before commencing the process. Additionally, there is a zoning map illustrating the residential zones within the city where the provision for four units could potentially apply.
Charlottetown faced a clawback of $1.26 million from Ottawa due to delays in implementing the new zoning and development bylaw, including the stipulations for four units as-of-right. The city entered into an agreement with the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund in 2024, which required adjustments to building permits and zoning regulations as part of the $10 million initiative.
With the upcoming municipal election scheduled for November in Charlottetown, Jankov emphasized the importance of council finalizing the bylaw before the election period. She expressed confidence in completing the work initiated during the current term and ensuring a timely resolution.
Councilor Mitchell Tweel suggested placing a full-page advertisement in a local newspaper to promote the public meeting, a suggestion that Jankov supported. She emphasized the necessity of meeting the legislative advertising standards and confirmed that the meeting will be publicized in local newspapers to encourage broader community participation. Jankov endorsed Tweel’s idea of running the advertisement twice for increased visibility.