Image: City of Chilliwack /

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Public hearings in Chilliwack

Mayor Popove calls new B.C. law banning public hearings on certain developments a ‘disservice’ to Chilliwack

Feb 7, 2024 | 11:38 AM

CHILLIWACK — The City of Chilliwack announced Wednesday (Feb. 7) that it is prohibited from holding public hearings on residential development rezoning applications that align with its Official Community Plan as a result of provincial legislation.

Under the new requirements of provincial Bill 44, the Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, the City of Chilliwack is not allowed to hold public hearings for residential development rezoning applications that align with the 2040 Official Community Plan.

Council members gave first, second, and third reading to amendments to the Public Hearing/Public Information Meeting Procedural Bylaw to implement new zoning procedures on Tuesday, February 6, to comply with provincial legislation.

While public hearings may no longer be held for residential development rezoning applications (including mixed use development with at least 50% residential) when they are consistent with the Official Community Plan, appropriate public notice of these rezoning applications will continue, including signage on the affected property, advertisements in the local paper, and mailed notices to neighbours within 30 metres of the subject property.

“In the past, the City of Chilliwack has received community input through public hearings and still been one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada, so it is difficult to understand the Province’s decision to prohibit this kind of public participation,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “Every community in BC needs more housing, but this provincial one-size-fits-all approach to public hearings is a disservice to local residents who want to be involved in their neighbourhoods.”

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Under this provincial legislation, municipalities may only conduct public hearings for temporary use permits, development variance permits, and rezoning applications that do not conform with the Official Community Plan. Each municipality’s Official Community Plan must also be updated by December 31, 2025.