SookeB次元官网网址檚 building permit wait has been shortened to 35 days, but thereB次元官网网址檚 still work to make the process easier for everyone, says Mayor Maja Tait.

A year ago, the backlog of building permit applications reached three months, despite a plan implemented in 2019 to reduce the time builders had to wait for permits.

Tait attributed the turnaround to hiring more staff and upgrading computer software. Additionally, the district hired a consultant to make suggestions for improving the system.

She said the new strategy would streamline the process by creating a single, coordinated approach to cut down the approval process further.

B次元官网网址淥bviously, for some, itB次元官网网址檚 not fast enough, but I havenB次元官网网址檛 heard recently of hold-ups. It seems theyB次元官网网址檙e making some headway now and getting through the big stack of paper,B次元官网网址� Tait said.

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As Sooke works on expediting the permit process, the B.C. government is creating a single hub for developers to get provincial approval for their projects in another step to tackle the housing shortage.

This week, Premier David Eby told a news conference that homebuilding authorizations in B.C. can require multiple provincial permit applications across separate ministries, each with different processes that can sometimes take up to two years for approval.

These permits may cover things like water licences, riparian approvals, road rezoning, heritage inspections and the cleanup of contaminated sites.

Eby said the new strategy would streamline the process by creating a single, coordinated approach to cut down approval processes to a few months.

Tait said the municipal process could be slowed while waiting for provincial approval.

B次元官网网址淎ny way to make things more efficient makes a lot of sense. More clarity with the processes will benefit everyone,B次元官网网址� she said.

Many of SookeB次元官网网址檚 approval processes were aggravated over the last three years due to growth, the pandemic and supply issues.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e doing what we can to streamline the process. The capacity has been the biggest challenge with just not enough staff people,B次元官网网址� Tait said.

editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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