Charlottetown city council has scheduled a public meeting in early September to gather feedback from residents on the city’s proposed new zoning and development bylaw. This bylaw determines construction regulations and locations within the city. According to Charlottetown’s deputy mayor, Coun. Alanna Jankov, multiple open house sessions have taken place, and staff are currently reviewing the received feedback.
Jankov, who heads the planning and heritage committee, emphasized the importance of residents asking questions and seeking clarification during the upcoming meeting. She highlighted that staff and consultants have been instructed to focus on addressing residents’ concerns related to the zoning and development bylaw.
One major issue raised by residents, as noted by Jankov and some councillors, pertains to the provision allowing for four units as-of-right, enabling individuals to add up to three additional units to their primary residence in specific residential zones. The public meeting aims to provide clarity on the extensive 200-page draft document.
Jankov explained that property owners looking to convert their residence into multiple units must ensure it is their principal dwelling. Additionally, a zoning map illustrating the residential zones where the four-unit provision applies will be presented.
The city faced a $1.26 million penalty from the federal government for failing to adhere to timelines associated with implementing the new zoning and development bylaw, particularly the four-unit provision. Charlottetown entered into an agreement with the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund in 2024, requiring adjustments to building permits and zoning regulations as part of the $10-million initiative.
With a municipal election scheduled for November in Charlottetown, Jankov expressed her desire for the council to finalize the bylaw before the election, ensuring continuity in completing the work initiated during the current term. Coun. Mitchell Tweel suggested placing a full-page advertisement in a local newspaper to promote the public meeting, a proposal supported by Jankov to attract a wider audience.
The meeting details will be published in a local newspaper to meet legislative requirements, with Jankov endorsing Tweel’s suggestion to publish a full-page ad multiple times for increased visibility.