Engagement on Official Community Plan Review launched
Friday, October 9, 2020 – The District of Sooke is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP) to help manage growth and development in a way that meets community goals. The OCP contains district-wide policies that influence how people live, work, shop, play, and move around Sooke. The planning process is underway and will culminate in a new OCP in late 2021.
Residents can have their say via an online survey from October 9, 2020 to November 6, 2020 at sooke.ca/ocp. Survey participants will be entered to win a $100 gift card from their choice of a BetterBuySooke.ca featured business. Print surveys are available in the Sooke News Mirror on October 21st and must be returned to the municipal hall by Thursday, November 5th, 2020.
“The District values the insights, ideas, and aspirations of residents. The input received in the surveys will be used to create a vision, goals, and emerging policy directions that set the direction for the new OCP,” Mayor Maja Tait explains as she encourages residents to become engaged. “Help spread the word by telling friends, families, and neighbours about the process.”
At its heart, an OCP is about managing land use and the physical growth of the district. This means that the OCP dictates the location, type, and intensity of homes, businesses, agriculture, parks, public spaces, and more. As a result, an OCP influences transportation choices, housing choices, community character, protection of ecological and agricultural areas, resource management, greenhouse gas emissions, and how much it costs to pay for municipal services such as pipes and streets.
Visit sooke.ca/ocp to learn more.
This is the first of two surveys that will take place through the VISIONING and GROWTH SCENARIO round of public engagement. This VISIONING survey is an opportunity for the community to share their ideas and respond to “What is Sooke? What do we aspire to be?”. In early 2021, a follow-up survey will be launched – building on this vision.
Related:
- Visioning Survey
- Official Community Plan (Bylaw 400)
- OCP Frequently Asked Question (and Answers)
- Community Sounding Boards: Call for participation from the business community
- Land Information Map
Media Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634, ext.678
Email: cmoog@sooke.ca