2015 City of Surrey Annual Report

CITY OF SURREY OVERVIEWS

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The Planning & Development Department is primarily responsible for preparing land use plans, by-laws and policies for consideration by City Council; and undertaking application reviews and approval processes. The department has the responsibility for the following divisions/sections:

AREA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, NORTH & SOUTH Area Planning & Development implements Council-adopted bylaws and policies in relation to the use and development of land. This work involves receiving and reviewing applications, and making appropriate recommendations for land development projects, as well as preparing reports to Council. BUILDING Building administers Council adopted bylaws and policies related to building construction. This work involves servicing residential and commercial building plan reviews, performing building, plumbing and electrical field review services, and the administration of the Tree Preservation By-law and the Sign By-law. The Building Division is also responsible for providing professional advice to City Council, the Board of Variance, other City Departments and the public, on building construction related matters. CIVIC FACILITIES Civic Facilities plans, designs and constructs new facilities, and maintains and operates the City’s existing building inventory, which includes redeveloping and modifying buildings, and administering an ongoing preventative maintenance program. The division leads energy saving initiatives throughout the City, including lighting and HVAC system upgrades.

COMMUNITY PLANNING Community Planning develops land use plans and policies in support of the planned and orderly development of the City. The division administers the Official Community Plan (OCP), General Land Use Plans, Neighbourhood Concept Plans (NCP), Local Area Plans, zoning bylaw amendments and monitors the City’s growth management strategies. Community Planning also supports the Heritage Advisory Commission, Environmental Advisory Committee, Agricultural and Food Security Advisory Committee and the Social Planning Advisory Committee. The division provides graphic and mapping services for the department and supports the corporate Geographical Information Systems (GIS) services. ADMINISTRATION & SPECIAL PROJECTS Administration & Special Projects provides general administrative support services, records management, budgeting, information

technology deployment and support, Enterprise Content Management implementation and customer service.

SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE The Sustainability Office is responsible for implementing the recommendations contained in the Surrey Sustainability Charter with the over-riding goal of making meaningful advances in sustainability in the City of Surrey to the benefit of present and future generations.

2 0 1 5 A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S

• Successfully applied for a 3-year contract from the Federal Government to coordinate and facilitate the Local Immigration Partnership Program in Surrey. • Completed the Poverty Reduction Plan. • Supported the Social Planning landlord outreach efforts, integrating building energy efficiency program information.

• Replaced gas chlorine systems in pools with new liquid chlorine systems. • Completed the Project Green Suites program in 15 pilot multi-family buildings aimed at behavioural change using an ambassador approach. • Continued to implement the Corporate Emissions Action Plan, to move towards the corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal of 20% by 2020.

• Completed and received Council approval of a new Official Community Plan for the City. • Completed and received Metro Vancouver Board approval of the Regional Context Statement. • Completed and received Council approval of Stage 2 of the West Clayton NCP. • Developed an on-line Plumbing Permit application/payment process.

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