DISTRICT OF SOOKE PRESENTS OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
Sooke, BC – November 27, 2009
In the coming years, residents of the District of Sooke will enjoy an economically vibrant community that features a variety of housing types, increased access to the waterfront via a sea walk from the Sooke River to Whiffin Spit Park, and a Town Centre that is the central focus of a well-defined commercial core.
That is part of the vision put forth in the Draft Official Community Plan that will guide the District of Sooke for the next 25 years. This vision is the result of an extensive three year review which involved countless hours of volunteer time and community input.
“The Community Vision and OCP review process has been an exhaustive but highly productive exploration in reviewing the 2001 OCP over the past three years,” Councillor David Bennett, chair of the OCP Review Committee in 2007 and 2008, said. “I believe the final document, when adopted by Council, will be a cornerstone document to serve our community for years to come. Committee members, our consultant Felice Mazzoni, the people of Sooke and Gerald Christie, our Director of Planning, deserve our thanks for bringing consensus to a dynamic and human process”.
On November 23, 2009, District of Sooke Council directed staff to proceed with the public process and consultation for the Draft Official Community Plan. The Community Vision outlined below is the framework for the community’s future.
The people of Sooke are proud of their community and its natural setting. Sooke’s historic ties with the T’Sou-ke Nation are creating strong economic partnerships, social bonds, and development opportunities, which have strengthened the cultural integrity of both communities. Sooke’s friendly people, diversity of culture, history, character, working class roots and small town atmosphere make it very attractive for people to visit and call home. Sooke is a great place for families, children, seniors, and others who appreciate a quiet, less complicated lifestyle with the amenities of a complete yet sustainable community.
Sooke has a vibrant, sustainable, well-defined commercial core with pedestrian linkages, mixed land uses, higher densities and an appealing Town Centre character and design. The Town Centre has been linked to surrounding neighbourhoods through an integrated trail and pedestrian network. Sooke has also developed a number of sustainable, mixed use areas to complement the Town Centre and existing residential areas. The Town Centre is now the hub of vibrant pedestrian activity with many people living, working and shopping in the area. There are many small shops and galleries clustered in quaint buildings within this urban environment, which attract both visitors and new residents.
There is a strong sense of character within the Town Centre, with narrow streets, public gathering places and attractive landscaping. A sea-walk extends along the harbour waterfront of the community, linking the mouth of the Sooke River to the Town Centre and Whiffin Spit Park, and which has become a main attraction for residents and visitors. Sooke is a small town surrounded by rural agricultural lands, natural forests and water. The community is a safe, inviting place to live, linked to surrounding communities by a variety of transportation modes.
The community creates shared sustainable economic development through a thriving economy. The existence of a variety of housing types in conjunction with affordable housing has attracted a wide variety of demographics and income levels. Tourism is an important economic driver combined with a well established visual and performing arts scene. Marine and waterfront businesses support tourism as well as a mix of commercial and appropriate industrial activities. Innovations and flexibility in zoning has made Sooke a food security hub, created a friendly development environment, and which respects the rural cultural character and sense of place of the community.
The entire Draft OCP is available on the District of Sooke website for public review and comment.
The public is invited to come out to one of the public events, check out the information on the District website, or send their comments via e-mail. For more information, contact:
District of Sooke
Gerald Christie, Director of Planning
tel: (250) 642-1634
fax: (250) 642-0541
Email: info@sooke.ca.
Website: www.sooke.ca