The City of New Westminster has an in-depth process for reviewing and processing rezoning permit applications. The applications are reviewed at several levels from various city departments and the City Council. All applications for development permits are processed by the Planning Division.
In order to make the rezoning permit application process for your project easier, we’ve listed the steps you need to take to get your proposed project going, and explain how and when Simple Sign can help facilitate this process for you.
How to Apply for a Rezoning Permit in New Westminster
Step 1: Attend a Pre-Application Meeting
The first step in getting a rezoning permit from the City of New Westminster is to conduct a preliminary review of your proposed project with the Planning Division. During this meeting, you will review the details of your project and ensure adherence to rezoning permit guidelines, community plans, bylaws, policies, regulations, and necessary documentation for your application.
Applicants will be advised on the necessary services they may need for their project such as architects, engineers, or other outside consultants. Bringing any supporting documents on the proposed project to this meeting is very helpful.
Step 2: Prepare and Submit Your Rezoning Permit Application
When filling out the application, ensure that all guidelines have been met in order to reduce processing time and improve your application’s chance of approval. Involve any outside consultants in the preparation of your application to ensure any complex information needed is provided accurately in the application. An appointment to review your application with the Planning Division is recommended to ensure completeness and all supporting documents are submitted with the application.
The Rezoning Permit Application form is available at the New Westminster City Hall, and can be submitted once complete at the City Hall as well.
Step 3: Review of Your Rezoning Application
Once the application has been submitted, it is first reviewed for completeness and may be sent back to you if there is missing information. The application undergoes a technical review by city planners and other departments and committees. A request for additional documentation or materials on your proposed project and will be requested if necessary.
The applicant is also required to consult with the public on the proposed project, as they are directly affected by the neighbouring building operations. In some cases, a presentation to the resident’s association of the neighborhood of the development may be required.
Step 4: Requirement of Rezoning Application Signs
At this point, the City will request for the applicant to install one or more rezoning application signs on their property that notifies other landowners and community members of your plans, and that an application has been submitted.
The City will send the applicant a letter to outline how many signs are required and also the exact text which should be included on the rezoning application sign(s). This process often means dealing with the hassles of approval, dealing with sign shops, and the annoyance of building frames to display your signs properly.
The team at Simple Sign can use this letter from the city planner to create the graphic design for the sign and install the rezoning application sign quickly and at a competitive price point.
Simple Sign is also able to proof any rezoning sign information to ensure it meets requirements and submit sign information directly to the City for approval.
We guarantee the installation of rezoning signs within 3 business days, removing the burden of handling signage design and installation from your busy schedule.
Step 5: Further Review, Reporting, and Public Hearings
Further review of the proposed development is conducted by the New Westminster Design panel and Advisory Planning Commission.
The NWDP and APC make comments and recommendations for your proposal and work with you to tailor your development application to meet the requirements of the City. After review by these groups, your permit application is reviewed and by the Council.
In the final stages of the application review, a report generated by planning staff will be presented to the City Council to review the application. A decision on whether to approve the application to move forward or deny the application occurs at this stage or a request for additional information may be requested.
The City of New Westminster hosts up to three readings and a Public Hearing with the Council for consideration. Any comments raised from Council or the public must be addressed during these sessions. If the Council decides they support the project, the applicant will attend the 3rd reading to review technical details of the project.
If any changes to the status of the application occur at this stage, an updated rezoning sign at the property is required.
In these cases, Simple Sign provides an updated rezoning sign patch, rather than changing the entire sign.
This ensures your requested changes are made quickly and cost-effectively.
There is no limit to the number of patches that can be applied to your sign, so make changes as you see fit.
Step 6: Issuance of Rezoning Permit and Development Application
Once the technical details of the project have been met, the permit application will be approved, and the rezoning process will be complete. A development permit will be the next step in the project process. Check out Simple Sign’s Guide on Applying for a Development Permit in New Westminster to learn more about the next steps for your project.
When it’s time for the switch to a property development sign, removal service is always included in Simple Sign’s all-inclusive sign package for locally installed signs. Instead of your sign ending up in a landfill, we will recycle and reuse all sign materials.
