Urban 3 Infill

Timeline

• Stage 1 - Background

  Stage 1 included data collection, research and analysis of existing conditions in the Urban 3-Infill area. Staff presented a summary of findings to Council on February 19, 2018 and received direction from Council to proceed with the Urban Infill Study.

  View Council Report PDS 020-2018 for details about Stage 1, including a summary package and details about the interim approach for rezoning applications while the Study was underway. An information bulletin was released on February 20, 2018.

• Stage 2 - Options

  Stage 2 included the preparation of infill housing options and community engagement. Open Houses were held May 15, 2018 - May 17, 2018 to present the options and to hear feedback from the community. Information about the open houses is provided through the links below:

  • Open House Event Information
  • Open House Information Boards (main panels and wrap up panel)

  Staff presented a summary of community input to Council on June 18, 2018. View Council Report PDS 072-2018 for further detail.

• Stage 3 - Regulations

  Stage 3 included the preparation of OCP policy, zoning regulations and voluntary design guidelines. On July 23, 2018, staff presented a first draft to Council  (see Council Report PDS 080-2018 and the presentation for details). Given the preliminary nature of the July 23, 2018 draft regulations – and the importance of ‘getting it right’ – staff were directed by Council to continue to research, prepare and test the draft material, and report back on the findings.

  Staff presented an update to Council on May 6, 2019 (see Council Report PDS 042-2019 and the presentation for details). This update included a summary of additional work completed since July 23, 2018, along with a refined set of draft policies and regulations.  

  As directed by Council, staff prepared OCP and Zoning Amendment Bylaws (Bylaw No. 2923-2019, "Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 8" and Bylaw No. 2922-2019, "Abbotsford Zoning Bylaw, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 244"), to implement the Urban Infill Study and introduce the Bylaws on  May 27, 2019 (see Council Report PDS 051-2019) and the presentation for details. Council gave the Bylaws 1st and 2nd readings and scheduled a public hearing.

  On June 24, 2019, Council held a Public Hearing on the proposed OCP and Zoning Amendment Bylaws. After the Hearing, Council deliberated and gave the Bylaws 3rd reading. Council adopted the Bylaws on July 22, 2019. The new policies and regulations can be viewed through the links below:

  • OCP Policy:
    • Part II Land Use - Chapter 1 - Urban Structure + Growth Plan
    • Part II Land Use - Chapter 2 - Land Use Plan

  • Zoning Regulations:
    • Urban Residential Zone, Infill (RS3-i)
    • Urban Residential Zone, Infill Garden Suite (RS3-ig)
    • Duplex Residential Zone, Infill (RS4-i)
    • Infill Residential Zone (RS7)

  A Housing Options Handout is available to help property owners identify which infill options may be possible on their site, based on the adopted policies and regulations. Voluntary Design Guidelines are also available to provide design ideas and inspiration for projects within the Infill Area. A combined PDF containing both items is available here.

  New RS3-i Zone Regulations

  In July 2019, Council adopted four new residential infill zones as a result of the Urban Infill Study. This included a new base zone (RS3-i), which took affect within the Urban 3-Infill area on December 20, 2019. RS3-i replaced the existing RS3 zoning that previously applied to most infill properties. If you have any questions about this zoning change, please view the July 2019 Bulletin or contact staff at planning-info@abbotsford.ca or 604-864-5510.