Official Community Plan Background

The District of Sooke has begun the process of reviewing its Official Community Plan (OCP). An OCP is the principle municipal planning tool that develops a vision for the future of the Sooke community and establishes a detailed set of policies in a wide range of areas. The existing OCP was adopted in 2002, and since that time, the municipal boundary has expanded, a community sewer system has been established in the core and new growth and development pressures have emerged. This has prompted the need for an updated OCP that reflects the current vision of the community, and an OCP that will better position Sooke to respond to future opportunities and challenges.

 

The District of Sooke Council has established an OCP Review Committee of resident volunteers whose task it is to guide the OCP review process and provide advice to Council, staff and the OCP consultants. The Committee members bring different perspectives and knowledge of community issues to the OCP process. The Committee members are:

 

Councillor Sheila Beech

Dana Lajeunesse

Councillor David Bennett

David Mallett

Councillor Ron Dumont

Andrew Moore

Gerald Christie (Staff)

Mark Poppe

Ellen Lewers (Chair)

Tara Tompkins

Randy Clarkston

Susan Todman

Patrick Fallon

Laurie Wallace

Rick Gates

 

Mazzoni and Associates have been chosen as the consultant who will guide the OCP review processs and produce the updated OCP. Mazzoni and Associates are an award winning planning team comprised of Felice Mazzoni and Rochelle Lewis (Plan B Consulting) based in Ucluelet, B.C., and Richard Crowley and Richard Giele from Nanaimo.

 

The OCP Review is designed as a three-step process that will include:

  • Part I "Inventory" - Where Sooke is
  • Part II "Vision" - Where Sooke would like to be
  • Part III "Implementation" - How does Sooke get there 

OCP Review Committee Meetings

 

The OCP Review Committee meet the third Wednesday of every month, with additional meetings scheduled as necessary. All Committee meetings are open to the Public and will typically be held in the Council Chambers at 6:30 pm. Consult the District web site for specific meeting times and locations. See OCP Review Committee meeting Agendas and Minutes.

 

Public Participation

 

With the District of Sooke conducting an Official Community Plan (OCP) review, Mazzoni and Associates Planning, and the Sooke Planning Department need to establish an effective framework in which to involve and educate the local residents regarding this process. The "calendar of events" is intended to do the following:

  • Inform
  • Consult
  • Involve
  • Collaborate
  • Empower

The OCP is a document derived from the input of the community; the people who live, work and play in Sooke. The events listed below are intended to provide opportunities for diverse public input regarding the future look and feel of Sooke. Some issues to be discussed during the OCP process include housing, growth management, local programs and services, design guidelines, planning, and future development.

 

The first opportunity for residents to voice ideas and concerns will be in the form of a comprehensive survey that will be distributed to local households and local schools in mid-January. Numerous events will be held during February and March 2008 to gather public input from residents, special interest groups and the OCP Steering Committee. Participants will be presented with information regarding a variety of subjects and issues that will affect the future of Sooke.

 

All residents are encouraged to attend and provide ideas and feedback during the OCP process.

 

What is an Official Community Plan?

 

An Official Community Plan (OCP) establishes a direction and a framework for the decision making process, influencing the shape of the community. An OCP is the principle planning tool that acts as a guide for developing detailed policies in a wide range of areas, including land use zoning and Local Area Plans. Although the OCP is adopted as a District Bylaw, it is considered a "living document" that can be modified with amendments to the Bylaw as required.

 

"An official community plan is a statement of objectives and policies to guide decisions on planning and land use management, within the area covered by the plan, respecting the purposes of local government." (Local Government Act, Section 875.1)

The OCP Update will include:

  • An inventory of current community conditions and trends.
  • Goals and objectives for the development for the development of residential, commercial and industrial land, including protection areas
  • Develop specific policies for the development and maintenance of current and future infrastructure services
  • Developing general policies related to social development, including social determinants of health and well being and food security.
  • Developing policies related to affordable, rental and special needs housing
  • Establishing economic development objectives
  • Incorporating a future road network plan, pedestrian paths and sidewalks and bicycle lanes and pathways.
  • Incorporating Smart Growth principles and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
  • Updating the Development Permit Design Guidelines, and incorporating the Downtown Sooke Design Guidelines
  • Incorporating a regional context statement.
  • Updating mapping that will be designated for the different land uses.