Clarifying Bill 44 and the Pinnacle Ridge Rezoning

It has been brought to the Village’s attention that the Anmore Alternative has posted inaccurate information related to public hearing requirements for the Pinnacle Ridge rezoning application. As we do with other media, the Village sent corrections to the Anmore Alternative requesting that these inaccuracies be corrected. We also understand there is now some confusion in the community because of the recent posts, and we want to ensure our residents have accurate information. 

The Village of Anmore is not exempt from Bill 44. Recent articles posted on Anmore Alternative cite a 5,000 population threshold in the legislation that relates to a specific requirement for Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH), which is applicable only for upzoning single-family lots to a minimum of 3 units per lot.  The post inaccurately cites this section of the legislation as though it applies to the Pinnacle Ridge rezoning application. It does not.

As part of Bill 44 under Section 464(3) of the Local Government Act:

A local government must not hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning bylaw if

• (a)an official community plan is in effect for the area that is the subject of the zoning bylaw,
• (b)the bylaw is consistent with the official community plan,
• (c)the sole purpose of the bylaw is to permit a development that is, in whole or in part, a residential development, and
• (d)the residential component of the development accounts for at least half of the gross floor area of all buildings and other structures proposed as part of the development.

For the Pinnacle Ridge rezoning application, Council determined that the application was consistent with Anmore’s Official Community Plan. To review the report related to this Council decision, please see the report presented at the June 4, 2024 Regular Council Meeting. These minutes clearly reflect a motion directing staff to bring forward a rezoning amendment bylaw related to the Pinnacle Ridge Hillside application with Mayor McEwen voting in opposition.  In this instance, as the Zoning Bylaw Amendment meets the criteria under section 464(3) of the Local Government Act, the Village is prohibited from holding a public hearing for this Zoning Bylaw Amendment. 

As part of the community engagement for this application, the Village is currently consulting with Council committees and will also be sharing information updates with the community. The public is invited to attend these committee meetings. Learn more about committee meetings here.

For more information about the Pinnacle Ridge rezoning application, we encourage you to review the Village’s dedicated webpage at anmore.com/pinnacle-ridge/