Policy 5.3.2 Transfer of Density

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POLICY – 5.3.2 Transfer of Density Page 1 
 
Policy: 5.3.2 
Approved By: Trust Council 
Approval Date: December 9, 1995 
Amendment Date(s):   
Policy Holder: Director of Local Planning Services 
 
TRANSFER OF DENSITY (TD) 
Purpose 
The purpose of this policy is to provide a tool which would allow local communities to achieve public 
conservation objectives without limiting the ability of property owners to achieve private development 
objectives. The mechanism is similar in concept to parcel size averaging, a tool already included in various 
subdivision bylaws in the Trust Area. However, Transfer of Density operates between parcels rather than 
within a parcel. 
A. Definitions 
n/a 
B. Policy 
1. TD may be used to accomplish land conservation objectives that are consistent with the object 
of the Islands Trust and the Islands Trust Policy Statement. For example, TD may be used in 
situations where agricultural land, forest ecosystems, water supply areas, wetlands, heritage 
sites, shore-lands, and areas of scenic or recreational significance would have development 
potential but can be protected from development by transferring density to more suitable 
locations. 
2.  Local trust committees (LTC) should establish a planning context for the use of TD during the 
preparation or revision of Official Community Plans (OCP) or, where transfer of density is 
proposed outside a period of plan preparation or review, by amendment of the OCP on a site-
specific basis. 
3.  The value of development potential proposed on a receiver site may need to be in excess of 
the value of that potential removed from the donor site to effect a transfer of density. 
4.  TD may be used to transfer density between islands within a LTC area but shall not be used to 
transfer density between LTC areas unless such transfers are explicitly provided for in the 
Islands Trust Policy Statement. 
5.  Where an OCP specifies that there shall be no net increase in density, then no net increase in 
density should be considered as a result of the operation of this policy. 
  

 
POLICY – 5.3.2 Transfer of Density Page 2 
C. Procedure 
1. TD requires the amendment of zoning bylaws on a site-specific basis to increase density at a 
“receiver site” (unless pre-identified in zoning), and reduce density at the “donor site”. Such 
zoning bylaw amendments must occur within the context of OCP objectives, policies and map 
designations that: 
1.1 Identify areas (donor sites) to be protected from development by transferring density 
when opportunities to do so arise. 
1.2 Identify areas (receiver sites) in which additional density can be accommodated in 
terms of physical infrastructure and compatibility of land use and density. 
 BC planning legislation does not authorize a comprehensive transfer scheme in which 
development potential is “banked” by the local government and traded on a market-driven 
basis. 
 Sample OCP Policy Statements are as follows: 
 Donor Area 
 The LTC considers that (d

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