p.e.i. government finally approves three rivers bylaw after 19 months
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pc mla darlene compton said the town of three rivers development bylaw amendments were carefully reviewed following her appointment as minister of land and environment.
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after a 19-month wait, the town of three rivers has finally received provincial approval for amendments to its development bylaw.
the approval will allow council to move ahead with planning changes that had been tied up since late 2024.
mayor debbie johnston said council and staff were relieved to finally receive approval from minister of lands and environment darlene compton.
“it feels great,” johnston said. “this has been hanging over our council and our staff. it’s just been something that’s been hanging there, and it really feels good to have it finished.”
concerns around zoning
the amendments update the town’s 2023 development bylaw and include measures aimed at reducing red tape, supporting housing development and updating planning regulations.
the town had been waiting for provincial approval since late 2024. former ministers steven myers and cory deagle both declined to approve the amendments
at the time, deagle told the guardian he had heard significant concerns about the bylaw’s community and institutional zoning provisions, particularly those involving buddhist monks and nuns who had built dormitories and other structures in and around the town.
he said he wanted to find a middle ground between the community and council before approving the bylaw.
johnston said those concerns were resolved through discussion rather than changes to the bylaw.
“there was no change to the bylaw. it was as we sent it in,” she said.
‘communication is a big thing’
johnston said town officials met with compton to explain the intent behind the amendments, particularly those affecting institutional zoning.
“once we communicated and talked about the actual changes, i think that probably assisted her in making a decision to sign them,” johnston said.
“she was very open to discussing the changes. i think communication is a big thing.”
mayor debbie johnston said council and staff were relieved to finally receive approval from darlene compton, minister of lands and environment, on the town’s development bylaw.
the guardian
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johnston said the approval allows the town to move forward with the updated planning rules, which include measures intended to streamline development approvals and improve efficiency.
“i couldn’t be more pleased with minister compton,” she said. “i also want to thank our staff for all the hard professional work they put into this because, at times, this was not an easy process.”
carefully reviewed
compton told the guardian via email that the town of three rivers development bylaw amendments were carefully reviewed following her appointment as minister of land and environment.
“as part of the review, i met with representatives from the town of three rivers and received advice from departmental officials to better understand the municipality’s objectives and proposed changes.”
after completing the review, the minister said she was satisfied that the amendments provide an appropriate planning framework that strengthens transparency and public oversight of development proposals while also supporting house development and reducing administrative requirements in other areas.
“municipal planning decisions have long-term impacts on communities, and it was important that i took the time necessary to fully understand the proposed amendments before making a decision,” she said
“the town of three rivers now has certainty regarding its planning framework and can move forward with implementing the updated bylaw.”
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vivian ulinwa is a reporter for the guardian in prince edward island. she can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on x @vivian_ulinwa.
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