• Golden reviews revised development cost charge options
The Town of Golden is considering revised development cost charge rates as it works toward a new bylaw intended to help pay for infrastructure needed to support future growth.
Urban Systems presented updated draft DCC options to council on June 25. DCCs are fees paid by developers at the time of subdivision or building permit approval, with the money used for growth-related infrastructure such as water, sewer, transportation and parks.
The latest options reduce the amount of wastewater treatment plant upgrade costs included in the DCC program. One option reduces those costs by $5 million, while another reduces them by $10 million.
Under the $5 million reduction option, the total DCC capital program would be $23.9 million, with $20.4 million recoverable through DCCs. Proposed rates would be $36,251 for low-density housing, $23,728 for medium density and $21,088 for high density.
A second version of that option would charge all residential development by floor area instead, at $225.10 per square metre.
Under the $10 million reduction option, the total DCC capital program would be $18.9 million, with $15.4 million recoverable through DCCs. Proposed rates would be $26,418 for low-density housing, $17,470 for medium density and $15,426 for high density.
A floor-area version of that option would charge residential development at $164.82 per square metre.
The proposed DCC program includes transportation, water, sanitary sewer and parks projects. Transportation projects include the Selkirk Hill-Bear’s Paw project, Golden Donald Upper Road active transportation improvements and a Transportation Master Plan update. Water projects include the northeast booster station upsize, a Well 4 generator and a Water Master Plan update. Sewer projects include 5th Avenue South work, wastewater treatment plant upgrades and a Sanitary Master Plan update.
Council has supported a one per cent municipal assist factor for consultation (the minimum requirement). Urban Systems noted that a higher municipal assist factor would lower DCCs, but would shift more of the cost onto existing residents.
The new rates would take effect when the bylaw is adopted, unless council chooses a future effective date. Complete building permit, subdivision, rezoning and development permit applications submitted before adoption may receive in-stream protection.
The next steps include preparing a draft background report and bylaw for council consideration, provincial review, ministry approval and final adoption.
The decision leaves council weighing how much of Golden’s future infrastructure cost should be paid by new development, and how much should fall to existing taxpayers.
• Public feedback shapes Golden’s updated Official Community Plan
The Town of Golden has received broad public feedback regarding many of the directions proposed in its updated Official Community Plan, though residents also raised concerns around affordability, infrastructure costs, short-term rentals, parking and downtown land use.
A May 2026 What We Heard report summarizes the second round of community engagement on the OCP update, which took place between April and May. The process included community conversations, open houses, an online open house, an online survey, pop-up events, presentations and drop-in sessions.
According to the report, almost 500 people participated in outreach and engagement during the second round. A total of 167 surveys were completed, with most respondents living in the Town of Golden and a smaller number from Electoral Area A.
The updated OCP vision received general support, although some participants felt it should more clearly reflect affordability, environmental health and Golden’s mountain town identity. Based on public feedback, the report says a new vision statement suggested by a community member was adopted for the updated OCP.
The statement reads: “Golden is a resilient and inclusive mountain community that stewards its natural environment, supports a diverse local economy, and delivers a high quality of life — today and for generations to come.”
Residents expressed strong support for the OCP’s guiding principles, with community infrastructure and services, housing and affordability, downtown revitalization and resilience emerging as top priorities.
Housing remained one of the clearest themes. Participants supported more diverse housing options, including mixed-use, multi-unit housing, purpose-built rental, infill development, non-market housing and below-market housing. However, some said the plan should better reflect the needs of low-income households and seniors, and cautioned that new development should not add to the cost of living.
Short-term rentals drew more debate. A policy allowing short-term rentals in residential areas only when the homeowner lives in the residence received 63 per cent support. A second policy allowing short-term rentals in mixed-use commercial residential areas, in multi-unit buildings above ground-floor commercial space, received 52 per cent support, the lowest level among the housing policies.
Concerns included the potential loss of long-term rental housing, fairness between residential and commercial areas, limited commercial space downtown, parking and infrastructure capacity.
Downtown revitalization policies were generally well supported, particularly efforts to activate underused and derelict properties. Some residents supported using municipal tools such as revitalization tax exemptions for housing developments on vacant or derelict downtown properties, while others questioned whether tax exemptions were appropriate given the town’s revenue needs.
Parking was another area of divided opinion. Some participants questioned the need for a downtown parking study, suggesting parking is more of an enforcement issue. Others supported changes that would favour pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, while some felt additional parking, including a parkade, may be needed.
Community wellbeing and safety policies also received strong support, particularly support for local food initiatives, expanding recycling and organic waste diversion, and animating Spirit Square and other downtown public spaces. Policies related to air quality, climate resilience, public space improvements, traffic calming and relationship-building with First Nations and Metis communities also received support, though with some concerns about cost, wording and municipal jurisdiction.
On land use, most participants supported compatible infill in existing residential neighbourhoods, maintaining manufactured home parks, mixed-use commercial and residential development downtown, and residential uses above ground-floor commercial spaces.
The weakest support was for a policy that would limit residential uses in commercial areas to avoid drawing activity away from downtown. Some respondents said limiting residential use in commercial areas conflicts with broader goals around housing supply and density, while others said land use decisions should be considered neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Public feedback helps significantly to refine the draft OCP before it was brought forward for council consideration.
The Official Community Plan is intended to guide Golden’s long-term growth, land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, community development and environmental priorities.
The current draft is based on the Town of Golden’s May 2026 Round 2 Community Engagement and Outreach What We Heard report, including the participation numbers, revised vision statement, survey results and policy feedback.
• Golden considers new Official Community Plan bylaw
The Town of Golden is considering a new bylaw to adopt its updated Official Community Plan.
Bylaw No. 1516, 2026 would authorize the adoption of the updated OCP under Part 14 of the Local Government Act. If adopted, the bylaw would establish the new Official Community Plan and its accompanying schedules as the town’s guiding planning document.
The bylaw includes schedules covering land use designations, development permit areas for form and character, riparian areas and wildfire interface, as well as transportation, agricultural land reserve areas, steep slopes, sewer, water and waste, public facilities, parks and flood maps.
The proposed bylaw would repeal the current Town of Golden Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1222, 2008, along with any amendments to that bylaw.
At its June 25 special open meeting, council was asked to give first reading to the bylaw as amended, with Schedule B to be updated based on map markups. The agenda also notes the OCP is to be considered alongside the Town’s Five Year Financial Plan, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Solid Waste Management Plan and the Town’s Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades Feasibility Study. It is also to be referred to the Agricultural Land Commission for comment.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2026, at 5 p.m., giving residents another opportunity to comment before council considers further readings and adoption.
