Charlottetown’s city council is organizing a public gathering in early September to gather feedback from residents regarding the proposed new zoning and development bylaw of the city. This bylaw outlines the rules for construction and where it can take place within Charlottetown. According to Coun. Alanna Jankov, the deputy mayor of Charlottetown, there have been multiple open house sessions, and the staff is currently reviewing the feedback received.
Jankov, who chairs the planning and heritage committee, mentioned that residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to ask questions and seek clarification. The focus is on addressing the concerns raised by residents, particularly regarding the provision for adding up to four units to certain residential properties.
The upcoming public meeting aims to provide clarity on the content of the extensive 200-page draft document. Jankov emphasized that property owners looking to convert their residences into multiple units must ensure that it is their primary residence. Additionally, there is a zoning map available to indicate the residential zones where adding four units may be feasible.
Charlottetown faced a setback of $1.26 million from the federal government due to delays in implementing the new zoning and development bylaw, including the provision for four units as-of-right. The city entered into a Housing Accelerator Fund agreement with the federal government in 2024, requiring adjustments to building permits and zoning regulations as part of the agreement terms.
As the municipal election approaches in November, Jankov expressed her desire for the council to finalize the bylaw before the election. She highlighted the importance of completing the ongoing work during the current term and expressed confidence in the council’s ability to bring the matter to a resolution.
Councilor Mitchell Tweel proposed advertising the public meeting in a local newspaper through a full-page ad, a suggestion supported by Jankov. She emphasized the importance of meeting the legislative standards for public notice and hoped that the advertisement would attract a larger turnout to the meeting.