Common Questions
What is the purpose of the OCP renewal project?
This project will create a new plan to respond to growth and changes happening in our communities, both now and in the future.
A new plan will enable SCRD to provide better service to achieve community goals in a cost-effective way.
Why is this project being done now?
Current OCPs are aging or out of date and no longer serve the community in the manner they were intended to. For example, the plans do not speak to how current housing needs will be met or address environmental protection (including groundwater) in a consistent, effective way.
The seven existing OCPs range from seven-30 years old and are structured using different tools and approaches, making it challenging to work together on community-wide challenges.
Doing this now will enable us to better work together to plan for, and respond to, challenges that span across community boundaries.
Why is SCRD choosing to have one OCP and one zoning bylaw going forward? (currently there are seven OCPs and two zoning bylaws)
It’s less confusing. It’s clearer. It will better serve the community.
One OCP and one zoning bylaw will allow everyone to be on the same page, using the same policies and regulations.
Right now, for example, there are over one hundred unique land use designations up and down the coast – some of these are essentially identical to each other and others have the same name but mean very different things. This makes it very difficult to understand how a neighbourhood could grow and change. For comparison, some regions have around twenty land use designations.
How will one OCP affect the unique character of electoral areas and neighbourhoods?
The new OCP will address neighbourhood planning matters.
We recognize the importance of addressing local needs and preserving the unique character of neighbourhoods as we develop the OCP.
Throughout this process, SCRD will actively engage with residents across all electoral areas to ensure your voices are heard and can be used as an input to the plan. A significant part of this project will be developing local strategies to deal with regional issues.