In This Week’s Editor’s Note:
- Cumberland: Council has adopted updated Zoning Bylaw.
- Campbell River: Staff advancing proposed 34-unit apartment building.
- Courtenay: Council gives three readings of proposed 2026-2030 Financial Plan.
Cumberland: Council has adopted updated Zoning Bylaw.
Council has adopted an updated Zoning Bylaw and directed staff to forward it to the Minister of Transportation and Transit for approval. The amendment responds to new provincial housing requirements under Bill 44, including the 20-year need identified in the Interim Housing Needs Report. The Village is also implementing Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) requirements ahead of the 2026 Census, when the population is expected to exceed 5,000. The projected 20-year housing need is 1,350 units. Key changes include reducing zones from 38 to 26; introducing an Infill Residential zone permitting up to four units per lot in select residential areas; establishing a Heritage Setback Area along western Dunsmuir Avenue (“Camp Road”); creating separate Multi-Unit Residential and Rental Tenure Multi-Unit Residential zones; consolidating C-1, C-2, and C-3 into a Service Industry zone; creating three Public Use zones; reducing parking minimums and maximums, particularly in the Village Core; removing off-street parking and loading requirements for most non-residential uses in the Core; and eliminating cash-in-lieu parking for residential and hotel uses. The bylaw also reduces lot coverage in the Large Lot Residential Zone and establishes a Drinking Water Protection Zone for the Comox Lake area.
Campbell River: Staff advancing proposed 34-unit apartment building.
Work continues on this project, with the City awaiting preparation of a covenant and easement agreement by legal counsel. The proposal includes a 34-unit apartment building with at-grade vehicle and bicycle parking beneath four storeys of residential units. Of the 34 units, four will meet CMHC affordable housing guidelines, and the remaining 30 will be two-bedroom units. Parking has been reduced from 75 to 51 spaces.The covenant between 1409 16th Avenue, 1500 Dogwood Street, and the City of Campbell River will require the owner to provide and maintain five shared bicycles for residents of both properties; register an access easement between the two sites; and submit financial security of $53,482.50 (125% of the landscape cost estimate) prior to building permit issuance.
Courtenay Council has given first, second, and third readings to the 2026–2030 Financial Plan.
Council has given first through third reading to 2026–2030 Financial Plan. Staff have updated the proposed budget to reflect council direction to include a 6.0% tax change scenario for 2026 and a surplus balance target of 15% of the 2025 General Fund budgeted spending. The 2026 Financial Plan includes $83.4 million in revenue and $23.5 million in borrowing, primarily to support capital projects such as the East Side Fire Hall ($18 million), Ryan Road sidewalk improvements, and Braidwood Road storm and road upgrades. For an average residential home valued at $752,000, total City property charges are projected to increase by approximately 7.0%, with overall property-related charges (including other taxing authorities) increasing by an estimated 6.6%.
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