Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – The District of Sooke’s Official Community Plan (OCP) is approaching the final stages of development and we want to hear from you!
On June 19, 2023 at 1 pm a Committee of the Whole meeting will be held in Council Chambers for:
- Interested partners to provide specific input on OCP Bylaw No. 800 (2022);
- District of Sooke Council to hear from partners about what works and where there are concerns with OCP Bylaw No. 800 (2022) to help realize the community’s vision; and
- District staff to respond to questions and seek further clarification from partners as the plan is revised before a new public hearing is held.
The OCP is the umbrella policy document for the District of Sooke and is implemented by all departments. It provides the overarching strategic direction for District Council and staff, who consider and apply OCP vision and policies to a wide range of municipal decisions such as budgeting, servicing, capital projects, and in the review of land use and development proposals. Typically, an OCP is updated every ten years. Sooke’s current OCP was adopted in 2010.
The OCP is not intended to provide highly detailed policies on topics that are already covered in the District’s other Master Plans and regulations, such as the Transportation Master Plan. Rather, the OCP builds upon and supersedes those plans and tools. After adoption, all bylaws or works undertaken must be consistent with the OCP.
Over the last two and a half years, the District has been working with the community to update its OCP. The pandemic disrupted some of the engagement in plan development.
“I am grateful to the community for their tremendous involvement during the pandemic. We had more than 2,000 participants during the pandemic and 400 attend an open house (once in-person events were permitted) which is remarkable,” reflects Mayor Maja Tait. “As we bring this plan, our critical long-range planning document that guides our decision-making, to adoption, Council is refining and clarifying some aspects so that the plan most effectively supports the community’s vision.”
The June 19, 2023 meeting comes after a September 27, 2022 public hearing which indicated a desire for this additional phase of engagement. Feedback from the public hearing included a mix of support and potential cost concerns, as well as interest in additional public participation given the pandemic.
After the June 19, 2023 meeting, it is currently anticipated that staff will return to Council on July 10, 2023 with a summary of feedback received, how it has been reflected in the plan or where it has not – explaining why. At that time, staff will receive direction from Council before a revised draft is presented and a new public hearing is scheduled.
The June 19, 2023 meeting will be live-streamed on the District’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person and those wishing to view the recording at a later date.
For more on the OCP and the development of Bylaw OCP No. 800 (2022), visit letstalk.sooke.ca/ocp.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Presentations Welcome
- Those attending the June 19, 2023 meeting will have the opportunity to make a 5-minute presentation (one presentation per speaker).
- Those wishing to make a presentation must provide their presentation slides to Corporate Services by email at corp@sooke.ca no later than noon on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Provide Written Correspondence
- Email Corporate Services at corp@sooke.ca or deliver written correspondence to: District of Sooke Municipal Hall, Attn: Corporate Services, 2205 Otter Point Road, Sooke BC V9Z 1J2
- Written correspondence received by noon on Friday, June 16, 2023 will be included in a supplemental agenda package posted by 4:30pm on June 16 at sooke.ca/meetings.
- Correspondence received after this deadline and before June 19, 2023 will be provided to staff.
Format
- Following opening remarks by the Chair, the meeting will begin with the pre-registered 5-minute presentations.
- After the presentations, speaking opportunities will be available to all attendees. Speakers will be called upon by the chair and permitted up to 5 minutes to speak.
- Those speaking are asked to be as specific as possible with their comments, such as citing sections or page numbers in the plan and describing their concerns or what they like about the particular section.
Media Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634, ext. 678
E: cmoog@sooke.ca