Neighbourhoods are designed with the right mix of housing, good transportation networks, quality park space, and easy access to stores and services to meet daily needs.
Current development practice is to create new residential neighbourhoods developed using the principles of an area structure plan. The developer completes these plans and identifies where development will occur (low, medium and high-density residential and commercial), the basic road network, the location of parks and possible school sites, the identification of environmentally sensitive land and how the area will be serviced with municipal infrastructure (water, sewer, storm sewer). The city council must approve all plans.
Once the area structure plan is approved, developers can begin working on the subdivision plans. Subdivision plans identify specific details of area development, including lot sizes, servicing location, and road location. These subdivision plans are the blueprints of a neighbourhood. Subdivision plans are approved by the Subdivision Authority, a position the planning director holds.
Rezoning is often required to identify the desired land use. A developer must complete a rezoning application that is approved by the city council.
Once the subdivision and zoning plans are in place, neighbourhood construction begins. Once the servicing and roads are complete, lots are sold, and builders begin to construct new homes. The city’s Land Use Bylaw determines lot size, location, and basic landscaping requirements.