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  • Current Developments
  • Projects (Development Services)

Projects

Updated: February 10, 2023

The Development Services Department is currently involved in several planning projects that support the Official Community Plan, Council Strategic Priorities and Capital Projects being pursued by the District.

At the March 15, 2023 Planning and Development Committee meeting, the planning department proposed re-naming Old Town Road West as Old Town Road and re-naming a portion of Solsqua-Sicamous Road to Old Town Road from the intersection with the Trans Canada Highway 1 north to the intersection with Old Town Road. If successfully re-named, a consequential civic address update would be required for some properties.

Best practices for civic addressing in cases like Old Town Road:

  • use a minimum increment of 4 to allow for future subdivision;
  • number in blocks (ie. 100 block, 200 block, 300 block);
  • start numbering at a natural terminus, such as a waterbody or major highway; and
  • road naming should apply to continuous sections of road, and changes in road names should be marked by an intersection or a distinct change in direction.

Have a read through our District of Sicamous Street Naming & Civic Addressing Bylaw No. 1026, 2023

In considering the best approach to assigning addresses for Old Town Road, we consider the following:

  1. Future Growth: The strong potential for future development and need for additional civic address numbers for new parcels at Old Town Bay;
  2. The arbitrary distinction between Old Town Road West and Old Town Road – this road name change is unmarked by an intersection or significant change in direction and can be considered as one continuous road;
  3. Where to Start: natural terminus points – points where further extensions of the road are unlikely to occur; and
  4. Section Breaks: obvious and natural locations to assign address blocks, to allow room for additional numbering in future.

The District is responsible for submitting addressing information to Address BC and road name changes to the BC Road Atlas for various purposes, principal of which is for emergency response which directly relates to the implementation of NG9-1-1. The proposal will enable the District to better accommodate growth and future addressing needs. 

Any changes to road names and/or civic addressing will require correspondence with land owners, utilities, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and emergency services advising of any changes.

Over the summers of 2021 and 2022, the District has held various engagement opportunities to consult on new regulations for short term rentals within the District. As a destination community, Sicamous attracts vacationers in both the winter and summer months. Online services such as Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO) or Airbnb have become popular in residential neighbourhoods as an alternative to a hotel. There can be a negative impact on local hotel businesses, the availability of housing, and the residential character of neighborhoods. 

Short term rentals are not currently a permitted use in most areas of Sicamous. Enabling regulations to allow short term rentals in specific areas are included in the New Zoning Bylaw, which was adopted at the January 11, 2023 Council Meeting.  

Business Licencing Requirements and Fees were updated by adoption of bylaw amendments to the Business Licencing and Fees Bylaws at the February 8, 2023 Council Meeting. 

What is a "Short Term Rental"?

The Zoning Bylaw defines "Short Term Rental" as: the use of a Dwelling Unit as a "Sleeping Unit", which is defined as a unit of accommodation, not subject to a tenancy agreement, for rental on a daily, weekly, or monthly rate and may include a bathroom and cooking facilities.

Zones allowing Short Term Rentals, subject to business licencing:

  • CR Country Residential
  • MUR-2 Seasonal Accommodation
  • C-1 to C-4 & C-6 (as a "Tourist Accommodation")

Don't know what your zoning is? Check out our Property Inquiry Map and click on your property, or, turn on the Zoning Layer.

Click Here to go to the Map 

 

Learn More!

 

For more information, contact:

Sarah Martin, Planner | PH:(250) 836 5261 | EMAIL: smartin@sicamous.ca

Beginning with a housing needs assessment in 2021 to identify our core areas of need, the Housing Committee established in early 2022 has been hard at work drafting an updated housing strategy!

The 2022 Housing Strategy was endorsed at the February  8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting. 

Staff Report:

Staff Report - 2022 Housing Strategy

Background Documents:

2009 Affordable Housing Strategy

2022 Housing Needs Assessment

Engagement:

2022 Survey Results

2022 Engagement Recap

 

For more information, contact:

Sarah Martin, Planner | PH:(250) 836 5261 | EMAIL: smartin@sicamous.ca