Charlottetown city council is making preparations for a town hall in early September to gather feedback from residents on the proposed new zoning and development bylaw for the city. This bylaw determines construction regulations and locations within Charlottetown. Councillor Alanna Jankov, the city’s deputy mayor, mentioned that there have been multiple open house sessions, and city staff are currently reviewing the input received.

Jankov, who heads the planning and heritage committee, expressed the hope that attendees at the public meeting will engage by asking questions and seeking clarification. The focus is on addressing aspects of the zoning and development bylaw that will have a direct impact on residents. One key concern raised by residents and some councillors is the provision for four units as-of-right, permitting homeowners in specific residential areas to add up to three additional units to their primary residence.

Jankov anticipates that the town hall meeting will help clarify the content of the extensive 200-page draft document. She highlighted that property owners intending to convert their residences into multiple units must have it as their principal residence to begin the process. Additionally, there is a zoning map illustrating the residential zones in the city where the provision for four units could be applicable.

Notably, Charlottetown faced a setback of $1.26 million from Ottawa due to missing deadlines linked to implementing the new zoning and development bylaw, notably the four units as-of-right provision. The city had entered into a $10-million agreement with the federal government called the Housing Accelerator Fund in 2024, requiring adjustments to building permits and zoning regulations.

As Charlottetown approaches a municipal election in November, Jankov emphasized the importance of finalizing the bylaw before the election. The council aims to complete the ongoing work by the end of their term. Councilor Mitchell Tweel suggested running a full-page advertisement in a local newspaper to promote the public meeting, a suggestion that Jankov supported, emphasizing the need to meet legislative standards and attract more participants to the meeting.