Courtenay Annual Report 2025 draft

Naut'sa mawt building on McPhee Avenue

Downtown Vitalization Local Area Plan

The City advanced the Downtown Vitalization Local Area Plan (DVLAP) in 2025, a multi-phase initiative guiding long-term growth and investment in Courtenay’s core. The plan addresses housing, mobility, public space and economic development across four districts: the Riverfront, Downtown core, Fitzgerald corridor and Harmston Park. Key activities in 2025 included: • A major public open house on May 14 with 130+ attendees. • Engagement on draft concepts for density, circulation, placemaking and public realm improvements. • Early policy directions to support a more connected, accessible and vibrant downtown. • Continued input from residents, interest-holders and K’ómoks First Nation. engagecomoxvalley.ca/courtenay-downtown-plan Provincial housing target order In 2025, the Province of British Columbia issued a Housing Target Order requiring Courtenay to deliver 1,334 net new completed housing units over five years, effective September 1. The City was selected based on housing need, population growth projections and the expansion of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax. The province recognized Courtenay’s recent housing progress. Since 2021, nearly 1,700 new homes have been completed. The City has removed rezoning requirements for secondary suites and accessory dwelling units, reduced parking minimums for purpose-built rental and non-market housing, waived development cost charges for non-market projects and updated zoning to permit small-scale multi-unit housing on more than 60 per cent of residential properties. Courtenay continues to collaborate with the development community, non-profit housing providers and provincial partners, while advocating for infrastructure funding to support mandated growth. courtenay.ca/province-issues-housing-target order

Official Community Plan update

In 2025, the City of Courtenay advanced its Official Community Plan (OCP) update in response to 2023 provincial housing legislation and accelerated population growth. Updated requirements call for regular five-year reviews of housing needs reports, OCPs and zoning bylaws to ensure sufficient land capacity for long-term housing supply. Courtenay’s 2024 Housing Needs Report identifies the need to plan for approximately 8,350 new homes by 2041, supporting an estimated population of 42,415 residents. The update refines policy direction for land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure and environmental protection, while maintaining the OCP’s four cardinal directions: reconciliation, equity, climate action and community well-being. Engagement in 2025 included information sessions, workshops, surveys, community outreach and an open house. Adoption of the updated OCP is anticipated in early 2026, alongside related zoning bylaw housekeeping amendments. courtenay.ca/ocp

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