The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has adopted a formal policy to prioritize development applications that advance employee and affordable housing to support local housing needs.
Council Policy G30, approved at the April 8 Regular Council meeting, establishes clear criteria for fast-tracking certain applications through the Building and Planning Departments. While Whistler has previously prioritized employee housing applications informally, the new policy codifies the practice, aiming to increase transparency and provide applicants with greater clarity.
The initiative also fulfills part of the municipality’s commitment under a $2.55 million grant agreement with Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund.
Priority for expedited staff review will be given to applications based on the following order:
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Projects that create new emergency, supportive, or transitional housing;
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Applications submitted by the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, a municipal subsidiary focused on employee housing development;
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Applications that involve new dwelling units secured through housing agreements;
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Developments under the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing zoning amendment bylaw permit three to four units on eligible residential lots as provincial legislation mandates.
Additionally, the General Manager retains discretion in prioritizing applications that are expected to significantly contribute to Whistler’s housing needs. RMOW emphasized that while the new policy seeks to shorten the time before a prioritized application is reviewed by staff, it does not guarantee faster overall processing times.