BURSTSmithers is among several communities in the Northwest that will receive funding to fast-track development approvals.
The provincial government granted Smithers $200,000 for the project out of $9 million to support various projects that streamline local government development approval processes with the idea of delivering more homes more quickly.
The programs will support streamlining local government development approvals processes for a variety of projects, such as prefabricated, modular or standardized housing designs.
Other Northwest communities set to get a piece of the pie include Houston ($150,000); the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District ($45,000); and Prince Rupert ($155,000).
The funding given to Smithers will support the Town’s efforts to improve and modernize the Building Permit approval process, review the existing development approval framework to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, develop resource packages for applicants, customize standardized housing designs available through the Province and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and improve public access to mapping data.
To support these initiatives, the Town will engage with residents, the Smithers Chamber of Commerce, development industry stakeholders, and partner organizations, including the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en.