City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

B

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Outside of Growth Locations: Infill Areas These areas include all lower-density residential zones throughout the city, historically referred to as single residential. In support of the growth strategy, infill development will be permitted throughout Courtenay in the form of Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH), including secondary suites, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and detached secondary residences, on lands designated for residential use. Urban Residential areas located along the Frequent Transit Network will also support Low-Rise Multi Residential forms to support transit-oriented development and provide additional housing options. Growth capacity modeling indicates that most new growth over the next 20 years can and should be accommodated within the primary and secondary growth centres in the form of a variety of multi-residential buildings of varying size and character. This will encourage public transit and active transportation supportive densities, lowering locally generated transportation-related GHGs, while also allowing the city to maximize the efficiency of existing and planned infrastructure investments. The remaining growth will be accommodated within Courtenay's existing municipal boundary by continuing to develop the remaining designated urban infill areas in the forms and land uses described for the infill areas. Determining Land Use Designations Land use objectives, policies, and designations are described further in this section and provide more detail on how future growth will be guided for specific areas. They were developed based on the urban framework concept presented in Figure B-1.

• Redevelopment opportunities, recent development trends, and viability of development. Growth is located in areas where undeveloped or older properties are located to accommodate new development or redevelopment into something modified or new. • Future GHG emission reduction scenario modelling. Growth is located to maximize the ability for people to walk, wheel, cycle, and take transit, as well as increase the number of multi-residential buildings to maximize building energy efficiency and housing affordability. These areas are activity centres in the city and will continue to attract the highest densities in Courtenay in the form of new multi-residential buildings and a wide variety of commercial uses such as offices, retail stores, and large-format shopping (in centres outside the downtown). The primary growth locations are reflected in the Downtown, Town Centre, and Urban Corridor land use designations described in the following section. Primary growth centres are designated based on their central and connected locations throughout Courtenay, their existing densities and mix of uses, potential to accommodate more frequent transit, and focus public infrastructure investments. Secondary Growth Locations: Neighbourhood Centres and Multi‑Residential These areas include or are in close proximity to existing community and commercial services within established neighbourhoods. The development opportunity within these areas will largely be redevelopment opportunities from lower density to higher density or from a single use today to a mixed use in the future. These areas will accommodate medium-density residential development and multi residential up to six storeys conditionally, with small scale neighbourhood commercial uses and community services within the Neighbourhood Centres. Primary Growth Locations: Town Centres and Urban Corridor