With a recommendation from the planning department to extend the program for another year, Comox council approved to extend the Downtown Vitalization Program at Wednesday鈥檚 council meeting for submission of rezoning and development applications.

The program, which was adopted by council in June 2014, encourages developers to consider the downtown core for mix-use commercial/residential development with fee rebates/reductions of permits and tax exemptions.

The intent is to support and increase the Town鈥檚 economic, social and environmental vitality.

The completed application for the rezoning or development permit for a project must be submitted no later than July 1, 2018, with construction to commence on or before the one year anniversary of the date of adoption, and an occupancy permit must be issues on or before Oct. 31, 2022 in order to qualify.